Trees - a resource for all seasons!

Trees are living works of art that evolve with every season:

• In winter, they display bare branches – observe the texture, pattern and colour of the bark. Look closely for insects and minibeasts. Evergreen trees offer colour and shelter all year round.
  
  
• In spring, there will be signs of regrowth and perhaps even flowers. It all happens very slowly at first, then suddenly trees will be shrouded in a canopy of bright, fresh colour. 
  
  
• In the summer, pay attend to different species and their different shapes and sizes. Consider the girth of a tree trunk. Let children use their senses as they smell and touch its bark. 
  
  
• In autumn, fruit trees will be laden with produce that attracts birds, squirrels, insects and people. Fallen fruit will decay and attract insects, offering further learning potential as children notice changes in the fruit.
  
  

Mindful moments
It may sound fanciful to ‘hug a tree’ but there is something reassuring and very mindful about embracing a strong, sturdy tree trunk. Ask children to close their eyes and to listen. They may hear wind blowing through the leaves, branches gently creaking or maybe even birdsong.

Ask older children to describe how they feel. Being able to recognise and name emotions is a vital element of a child’s emotional development. For some children, the pheromones that are released by trees can have a calming effect after just 15 minutes of exposure. A child who is struggling to control their emotions may respond very differently when given the time and space to play or relax in the proximity of a tree.

The health benefits of trees have been studied extensively. Green is said to be the colour most associated with calm and tranquillity, boosting mental health and wellbeing. Time spend in a natural wooded environment is also said to boost the immune system so it is good for adults and children to interact with trees.

Look out for wildlife
No matter whether you are an urban or rural setting, deer, rabbits, badgers, stoats, weasles, hedgehogs, foxes, mice and rates will visit quietly in the night to feast, leaving some clues that they have been there.

Look for footprints, faeces and tooth marks. Be careful not to let children handle any fallen fruit that has been partially eaten.

Camera traps can be purchased for as little as £30 and will allow you to capture night-time visitors to your tree or garden. This can be a great way to engage children as recordings are played back that have captured an elusive creature that a child may have only previously seen in books or on television. The learning becomes meaningful and relevant to children who will be excited to know they are sharing their environment.

Even in the colder months, your tree may be home to some creatures – even if at first it appears that nothing is happening. Hedgehogs will gather sticks and dead leaves for bedding to keep themselves warm as they hibernate. Squirrels may be gathering nuts to stash away for the winter. Mini-beasts will tunnel beneath bark or between tree roots to take shelter.

Making the most of your space
The learning opportunities provided by trees really are endless and readily available. Don’t assume that you are limited by the space available to plant your own tree. Two or three fruit trees in pots could be the makings of a mini orchard, taking up little room.

Record and document your trees’ progress across the seasons. You will create an interesting record that the children will continue to reflect upon as they remember the real-life experiences that they had at the time. Above all, you will be encouraging children to notice and appreciate trees as they connect with nature for life.