Spring Preparation

A common misconception is that the buds on trees form in the spring just before the leaves open up. However, by the time a tree’s leaves drop in the fall, its leaves for the next spring are already formed. Project Learning Tree’s activity “Bursting Buds” lets students investigate the stages leaf buds go through as leaves develop during the year. Adapt this activity by starting in the winter instead of the fall. For older students, have them work on identifying trees based upon the bud scars. This approach, sometimes in combination with bark, and tree shape, are ways people identify trees when they no longer have leaves.

Book List
Grades PreK-2
Bernard, R. 2001. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Children’s Books.
Bourgoing, P. 1992. The Tree. Scholastic First Discovery Books.
Dorros, A. 1997. A Tree is Growing. Scholastic, Inc.
Ehlert, L. 2005. Leaf Man. Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Fontes, J.K. 2002. Signs of Spring. Mondo Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 2002. Tell Me Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little, Brown Young Readers.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America.. Dawn Publications.
Lionni, L. 1992. A Busy Year. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyon, G. 1996. ABCedar: an Alphabet of Trees. Scholastic Inc..
Miller, D. 2003. Are Trees Alive? Walker Books for Young Readers.
Morrison, G. 2005. Oak Tree. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Oppenheim, J. 1967. Have You Seen Trees. Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Company.
Saunders-Smith, G. 1997. From Bud to Blossom. Coughlan Publishing.
Schwartz, D.M. 2000. Plant Blossoms. Gareth Stevens Audio.

Grades 3-5
Burnie, D. 2005. Tree. DK Publishing, Inc.
Dowden, A. 1975. The Blossom on the Bough: A Book of Trees. Thomas Y. Crowell.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
George, K. 1998. Old Elm Speaks. Clarion Books.
Gibbons, G. 1984. The Season of Arnold’s Apple Tree. Voyager Books.
Hiscock, B. 1991. The Big Tree. Atheneum Books-MacMillan.
Iverson, D. 1999. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications.
Leslie, C. 1991. Nature All Year Long. Harper Collins Children Book Group.
Locker, T. 1995. Sky Tree. Harper Collins Publishers.
Lyons, D. 2002. The Tree. Illumination Arts Publishing.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.

Grades 6-8
Arnosky, J. 1992. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Trees. Bradbury Press-MacMillan.
Garelick, M. & Brenner, B. 1979. The Tremendous Tree Book. Four Winds Press.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Zim, H. S. 1989. Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees. St. Martin's Press.

Grades 9-12
Rushforth, K. 2004. The Easy Tree Guide: Common Native and Cultivated Trees of the United States and Canada. Globe Pequot Press.
Zim, H.S. 2001. Trees: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.