Download one of these free mobile apps to make identifying trees and the products they give us fun and educational for children and teens!
Then, go outside and find an area with trees – it could be in your backyard, in a park, or along a street.
Ask “What characteristics can we use to identify trees?”
Pick two different trees and have children observe the differences between the two. Here are some features of trees you could discuss: leaf type, tips and bottom shape, texture; twigs; fruits, flowers and seeds; bark and the overall tree shape.
Next, open the selected app and follow its instructions.
LeafSnap: Snap a picture of a leaf using your smartphone. The app will provide a list of possible tree species with accompanying photos to help you select the best match.
vTree: Provide your location and answer a few questions about the tree you want to identify. The app will provide a list of possible tree species and accompanying photos to help you identify the tree.
Write down the names and characteristics of the trees in the chart.
Once back inside, search the internet for the tree name and the keyword “common uses” to find products or benefits provided by these trees, for example, fruits and nuts, medicinal products, and wood, and complete the last column of the chart.
Download this Family Activity
This family activity is based on Project Learning Tree’s Teaching with i-Tree unit.
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