Tree study walk — Teacher Aid #1.0
The aim is to get the pupils to attempt to identify types of Tree on a trail to & around Seaton Park in winter & soon in summer. The process has several stages: Distance-look shape, Close-up at bark/twigs/leaves, and confirmation via an app or book(NB not all trees listed).
Lesson Plan
The walk (from School) begins by introducing winter/spring where some trees retain their green leaves eg the non native Monkey puzzle (Chilean Pine). The contrast between large & small trees can also be made whilst not going too fast though not the point of this lesson.
TREE (Large) INDEX (Winter) <dRAFT>
Beech
Mature > 40m + domed crown.
Bark is smooth, thin and grey, with slight horizontal etchings.
Leaf Buds: reddish brown, torpedo-shaped form on short stalks, sharply pointed
Triangular beech nuts form in prickly four lobed seed cases.
Elm
Mature height of 30m. Bark is grey brown, often with crossing ridges. The twigs are brown and occasionally have corky ‘wings’ or ridges. Identified in winter by: it has grey-brown bark with crossing ridges
Ash
Mature height of 35m. Tall and graceful, they often grow together, forming a domed canopy. The bark is pale brown to grey, which fissures as the tree ages. Easily identified in winter by smooth twigs that have distinctively black, velvety leaf buds arranged opposite each other. Identified in winter by: ash has distinctive black buds and flattened twigs.
Horse Chestnut
Can grow to 40m Bark is smooth and pinky grey when young, which darkens and develops scaly plates with age. Twigs are hairless and stout, buds are oval, dark red, shiny and sticky in winter.
Sycamore
Can grow to 35m. The bark is dark pink-grey and smooth when young, but becomes cracked and develops small plates with age. Twigs are pink-brown and hairless. Identified in winter by: twigs are pink-brown and have no hairs.
Oak
Can grow 20–40m tall. As oaks mature they form a broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath and open canopy. and their
Bark becomes rugged and deeply fissured with age. (smooth and silvery brown when young)
Buds are in clusters. Each bud has more than three scales.
TREE (Small) INDEX (Winter)
Rowan
Mature trees can grow to 15m and can live for up to 200 years. The bark is smooth and silvery grey, and leaf buds are purple and hairy. Identified in winter by: the young twigs start hairy and become smooth later. Buds are hairy all over. Terminal buds (on the ends of shoots) are up to 8mm in length and lateral buds (in leaf axils) have 2–5 scale
