After having planted several different species of tree saplings, students will record growth rates on a monthly basis for each species. Then students will engage in thinking about why growth rates change from month to month, year to year, season to season, and even from species to species. In addition, they will compare their results with other schools where students have also planted seedlings and are recording data. This will engage them in thinking about difference in growth rates of the same tree species in other regions.
What factors seem to be affecting the growth of your trees the most?
Which month(s) did your trees grow the most? Why?
What outside variables do you think might have affected the growth of your trees?
Which trees seem to be growing the fastest? Is this true of all regions that have entered data?
What is the average monthly tree growth for this school year so far?
Do other regions have similar data? How are the data similar, how are they different? Can you explain these results?
How does rainfall seem to be affecting tree growth?
How does temperature seem to be affecting tree growth?
Did you select trees that are suited for your area? Find a website that might tell you if you did.
Did other schools select different types of trees? Why do you think they did?
Students will learn about different species of trees.
Students will learn the proper procedures for planting and caring for trees by actually planting them.
Students will be able to compare growth rates of different kinds of trees that were planted as saplings, and compare these rates with other schools who have also planted seedlings and recorded growth rates.
By engaging in this activity, students will help beautify their school campus.
Acquire tree saplings
Students must find a source from which to purchase tree saplings or which will donate several different tree species. This web site, from the National Arbor Day Foundation, provides information on how to obtain ten tree free.
Local nurseries and greenhouses are other possibilities. Often times, toward late spring, these businesses are very busy and do not have time to care for saplings that have not yet been purchased. You may want to ask about donations.
Spade shovel
Students will need a spade-type shovel for planting the tree.
Water source
Make sure you will have hoses and water sources available for frequent watering.
Funding and Grants
This site is the home page for the National Tree Trust, which allows non-profit organizations to apply for grants for volunteer tree planting efforts.
Resource
Drip system
Contact your local nursery or green house for help on how to design one.
Use the resources listed, or any other source you can find, to obtain several different tree sapling species.
Students will use the Aurora tool "How to Plant a Tree" to plant their tree saplings correctly.
Measure the tree saplings immediately after planting and then each month on the same day. Measure from the ground to the tallest branch.
Record the data in the form provided.
Ask a local nursery or your county extension office for information about trees that do well in your area, or you might allow students to choose trees themselves. This could provide interesting discussions about why it is necessary to choose trees suitable to your area, zone information, etc.
Duration: year long and from year to year
Consider the types of tree that are suitable to your area and/or learn in which tree planting zone you live before choosing trees.
Your teacher might allow you to choose or might chose trees for you.
Our class is learning about trees by planting and caring for them. This activity also helps to beautify the school campus. Consider extending this lesson by participating with your son or daughter in the same activity at home.
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