How to Adopt a Tree

Adopting a tree is a great way to make nature part of your family.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Journals
• Garbage Bags
• Cameras
• Film
• Buckets
• Garbage bags

1. Take a walk and select a tree in a park or other public place that appeals to you.

2. Name your tree.

3. Touch your tree and get acquainted with how it feels. Inhale the scent of your tree, sniffing the leaves, bark and branches.

4. Pick a leaf or two to take with you or do a leaf rubbing.

5. Talk to your tree and think about what its life is like.

6. Look to see what creatures the tree is home to: birds, insects, squirrels and so on.

7. Consider how large your tree is and learn about how old it is. Think about all the things the tree has witnessed in its lifetime.

8. Visit your tree often and notice how it changes with the seasons.

9. Take a photo of the tree while standing in the same spot each season and compare the changes it has gone through.

10. Draw pictures of your tree.

11. Keep a journal about your tree, recording your observations each time you visit it.

12. Bring a drink of water for your tree when you visit it.

13. Remove any litter that has accumulated near your tree to help keep it healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• This is an an excellent activity for a family or a small class.

• Spend some time learning about trees by reading books.