WHAT’S IT MEAN

TO BE EVERGREEN
L E S S O N T H I R T E E N | F O R E V E R G R E E N
 W H AT ’ S I T M E A N
TO BE EVERGREEN?

S K I L L S

Botany, Research, Scientific Observation, Drawing, Writing, Reading, Geography, Nature Walk

S U P P L I E S

Get to Know Evergreens - included Tree books and/or internet access

Nature journal and pencil Camera

Colored pencils Photosynthesis Diagram (included)

 stay green!
Evergreen trees are a staple of winter for both people and nature. Animals rely
on them for food as well as shelter. Birds nest in their branches, other animals seek
cover from the snow and cold. And people use them for their wood, for landscaping,
and as holiday decorations like Christmas trees and wreaths. But what exactly does
it mean to be an evergreen? Evergreen trees, by definition, are trees that keep their
leaves all year long. In the Ozarks, where we live, these trees usually have needle or
scale-like leaves. In other parts of the U.S. and the world, where the climate is warmer,
evergreen trees can be broad-leafed trees that would typically lose their leaves in the
winter in our climate. And not all evergreens are trees. Some are shrubs or bushes.
Boxwood and holly are two common ones people plant around here. But there are
many others.
We are going to focus our evergreen study on evergreen trees in our climate,
which are mostly conifers. Conifers that you’re probably familiar with include such
familiar names as pine, spruce, fir, cypress, juniper, and the list goes on. They are
called conifers because they produce cones that hold their seeds. Pine cones are one
of our favorite things to collect for our nature shelf. Our property has two large groves
of Eastern Red-cedar, which is actually a type of juniper. Their cones look more like
berries, which provide food for birds. These trees stay green for us all year, and they
give the deer and turkey great winter shelter. Songbirds will nest in them as well.
Conifers have many adaptations to stay green even in the winter with cold and
snow surrounding them. Their thick bark and triangular cone shape help protect them
and keep snow from building up. They usually grow in dense stands that also help
protect them. Conifers’ seeds are safely tucked away in pine cones, and their needles
are coated with a waxy substance to keep them from drying out. They can continue to
make food through photosynthesis since they stay green all winter.

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 4
 get to know
some evergreens
Look at these different species of conifers from around the world. What do they have in
common? What is different between them? Maybe you would like to learn their names
or play a matching game with them. These trees will help introduce you to the world of
conifers.

Evergreen Cards:

- Eastern White Pine - Giant Sequoia

- Eastern Red Cedar - Coast Cypress Pine
- Norway Spruce - English Yew
- Douglas Fir - Himalayan Hemlock

Investigate. What kind of evergreens are common where you live? Here in Missouri,
we have eastern red cedars, eastern white pines, loblolly Pines, Jack Pines, scrub
pines, Austrian pines and short-leafed pines, which are the only native species.
Perhaps you have some of the same where you live. Perhaps you live in a warmer
area and most of your trees stay green all year.

Take Note. Make a list of the different evergreens common in your state. As an
added bonus, you can put your list in alphabetical order. For young naturalists,
parents can assist with list-making. In your nature journal, draw a picture of your
favorite evergreen from the list. Or draw them all :) Do they look alike? Is there
anything that distinguishes one from another? Be sure to add those details to your
picture. Being a good observer is part of being a naturalist.

Nature Walk. Set aside some time to go outside and see these evergreens in
person. They look very different when you are standing next to them than they do
in a book or online. Take a camera with you to take photos of the trees you see.
Try to identify them in the field or when you get back home. If there are branches
or cones on the ground, take a sample home with you.

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 5
 get to know
some evergreens
4 Around the World. Now that you know what evergreen trees are common in your
area, take a trip around the world, without leaving your home. Use a globe, a map,
continent study cards, or an online resource. Choose a country far away, and find
out what evergreen species are common there. You might choose one country
from each continent. For young naturalists, you might choose another area in your
country to get started, maybe one you have visited or are familiar with. Do any of
the trees from your list overlap with those in other countries? Do they look similar
or very different?

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 6
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

What is your favorite evergreen tree that you learned about? Why?

Were there similar evergreen tree species in the country you researched as you find in the
area where you live? Is your climate similar to or different than the country you researched?
How might this influence what you found?

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 7
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

How many evergreen species did you find on your nature walk? Were you able to identify all
of them?

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 8
 extend
the lesson
Recipe for Success
How do these trees stay green all year long? Review their adaptations mentioned in the
introduction. These adaptations allow evergreens to make food through photosynthe-
sis all year long. In order for photosynthesis to take place, plants need sunlight, carbon
dioxide and water. Through a chemical reaction, these “ingredients” make glucose or
sugars for the plant. Do some research to answer the questions and accomplish the
tasks below. If you use the search term “photosynthesis for kids,” you should find many
resources. Young naturalists will need help from a sibling or parent. They might also
enjoy acting out the photosynthesis process.

• In which part of the tree does photosynthesis take place?

• What chemical is responsible for absorbing sunlight?
• How do trees get the water they need?
• What special feature do leaves have to take in carbon dioxide?
• How do trees help us breathe through photosynthesis?
• Make a recipe card for the photosynthesis process with ingredients and directions.
• Draw a diagram or cartoon showing the process of photosynthesis.

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 9
 HOW DOES IT WORK?

photosynthesis

Oxygen

Sunlight

Carbon Dioxide
Food (sugars)

Minerals

Water

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 0
 HOW DOES IT WORK?

photosynthesis YO U R T U R N !

w h at ’ s i t m e a n t o b e e v e r g r e e n | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 1
douglas fir
(pseudotsuga menziesii)
coast cypress pine
Appearance
(callitris columellaris)
• Pyramidal in shape
• 40-80 feet tall, 12-20 feet wide
Appearance
Leaves • Shrubs or trees up to 100 feet tall
• Simple needles arranged spirally • Usually around 40 feet
• Dark green
Leaves
• 1 ½ inches long
• Dark green, scale-like needles
Cones • Groups of 3, up to 1/5 inch long
• Light brown
Cones
• Hang downward from branches
• Dark brown and round to oval in shape
• 3-4 inches long
• ½ to 1 inch in diameter
Ecology
Ecology
• Seeds eaten by birds and other wildlife
• Some bird species feed on seeds
• Twigs and foliage eaten by browsers
• Used for construction, flooring and paneling
• Cover for many species
• Wood resists termites and decay
• Lumber, landscape, Christmas trees
Geography
Geography
• Native to all states of Australia except Tasmania
• Western North America from British Columbia south to Central
California Did you know…
Did you know… • The genus name, Callitris, comes from Greek words for
beautiful and three (referring to needle bundles).
• Douglas firs were used to build stretchers for American troops
during WWII.

eastern red cedar eastern white pine

(juniperus virginiana) (pinus strobus)

Appearance Appearance
• Grows 30-65 feet tall, 8-25 feet wide • Grows 50-80 feet tall, 20-40 feet wide
• Broad, conical • Oval, pyramidal shape

Leaves Leaves
• Green, sometimes turn brownish in winter • Soft needles
• Scale-like up to ⅛ inch long or... • Blue-green in color
• Needle-like up to ½ inch long • Long, thin shape, up to 5 inches
• Bundles of 5
Cones
• Fused cone scales, looks like berry Cones
• Gray to blue-green in color, ¼ inch diameter • Brown in color
• Smooth scales
Ecology
• 3 to 8 inches long
• Birds eat cones
• Twigs and foliage eaten by wildlife Ecology
• Nesting and roosting cover for birds • Seeds and bark eaten by wildlife
• Used in landscaping, furniture, fences, oils used in medicines • Nesting sites for birds
• Used for lumber, landscaping
Geography
• Often used as Christmas trees
• Eastern North America
Geography
Did you know…
• Native to Southeastern Canada, Eastern United States
• Fossil evidence suggests the United States was once
covered in these trees. Did you know…
• Also known as the pencil cedar, it was once used in the • In colonial times, the best pines were used to build British ships.
making of pencils.
english yew giant sequoia
(taxus baccata) (sequoiadendron giganteum)

Appearance Appearance
• Conical in shape • Massive pyramidal shaped tree
• 30-60 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide • Loses branches around bottom of
trunk as it matures
Leaves • 60-275 feet tall, 25-60 feet wide
• Dark green
• Flat needles up to 1 ½ inches long Leaves
• Needles arranged spirally, ¼ inch long
Cones • Blue-green in color
• Produce red, berry-like fruits
Cones
Ecology • Reddish-brown cones
• Cover and nest sites for many bird species • Barrel or egg shaped, 2-3 ½ inches long
• Fruit eaten by birds and small mammals
• Strong wood used for building Ecology
• Alkaloids from the plant used in anti-cancer drugs • Shelter for wildlife
• Popular plant for hedges and topiaries • Seedlings can be eaten by chipmunks

Geography Geography
• Europe, northern Africa, SW Asia • Native to California
• Grow in Sierra Nevada mountains
Did you know…
Many parts of the English Yew are poisonous when ingested Did you know…
These trees live a long time, some as long as 3000 years.

himalayan norway spruce

(picea abeis)
hemlock
(tsuga dumosa)
Appearance
• Pyramidal in shape
Appearance • 100-150 feet tall, sometimes up to 200 ft.
• Older trees tend to have multiple
stems and are an irregular, open Leaves
pyramid shape • 4 sided needles arranged spirally
• 65-80 feet tall • Smooth, pointed, up to 1 inch long
• Dark green color
Leaves
• Shiny green needles up to 1 inch long Cones
• Needles arranged spirally • Cylindrical
• Up to 9 inches long
Cones
• Round to oval in shape Ecology
• Brown in color and ⅓ inch long • Winter cover for wildlife
• Roosting place for birds
Ecology
• Lumber, landscape, Christmas trees
• Used in construction and for furniture
Geography
Geography
• Native to mountains of northern and central Europe
• Native to Himalayan mountains
• Grows in many areas of United States
Did you know…
Did you know…
• Hemlock evergreen trees like this one are in a different
• The Norway spruce grew in other parts of Europe before it
family than the ground hemlock plants like poison hemlock.
was brought to Norway around 500 B.C.
 douglas fir coast cypress pine

eastern white pine eastern red cedar

giant sequoia english yew

norway spruce himalayan hemlock

Need additional help or want to give valuable feedback? Send an email to [email protected].

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©2018-19 | All right reserved.
 PINES
AND NEEDLES
L E S S O N F O U R T E E N | F O R E V E R G R E E N
 PINES AND NEEDLES

S K I L L S

Botany, Mathematical Thinking, Artistic Expression, Scientific Discovery, Nature Exploration

S U P P L I E S

Paper or nature journal Duct tape or other strong tape

Crayons Internet access, books, other

research materials
Paints
Leaf diagrams (included)
Evergreen branches
 strange leaves
When you think of leaves what comes to mind? Do you picture the stately oak leaf,
the easily recognizable maple? Do you think of beautifully colored leaves falling to the
ground in autumn? I know you aren’t thinking of the pointy, sharp needles that cover
conifers and stay green all year. But these, too, are leaves! Many conifers have needle-
like leaves such as pines, spruces, and firs. Others may have more scale-like leaves
that are flattened and softer. Either way, they are very different from broad leaves.
Their shape may seem strange to us, but they are perfectly adapted for evergreen
duty. Some key features include:

• Narrow
• Pointed and sharp
• Waxy coating
• Small stomata (openings for gas and water exchange)
• Tightly packed tissue
• Make food (photosynthesize) all year long

Broad leaves are not just shaped differently, they have other adaptations as well. Of
course we know they are much wider and flatter than needles, and in colder regions,
they all fall off their trees in autumn. They only make food in the warm months, and
they have larger openings for gas and water exchange. In addition, many broadleaf
species are a good food source for wildlife.

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 4
 comparisons
Investigate. Eli reviews the differences between needles and broad leaves in this
episode of Watch and Learn. In addition, you can do your own research by reading
in your favorite tree book or researching on the internet. https://bit.ly/2Rq2Td9

Explore. Introduce yourself to needle leaves. Go outside, and take paper and
crayons with you. Or, if you have a Christmas tree in your house, you may be
able to use it for this activity. You may have done leaf rubbings in the fall with
gorgeous red and yellow leaves, but needle rubbings are beautiful as well. You
can do leaf rubbings in a couple different ways. Either use a page of your nature
journal with the branch of needles under it, or fold a piece of paper in half with
the branch between the halves. Then using the side of your crayon, rub over the
paper to create an image of the needles. If you have extra branches or there are
some on the ground that you can collect, bring them home with you. Evergreen
branches make excellent paint brushes for beautiful artwork. You can bundle the
needles together and tape the end to keep them from falling apart. Or you can
use a branch with the needles still attached. Share your creations with us. Tag
#fireflynatureschool for a chance to have your work featured!

Diagram. Based on what you have learned, compare and contrast broad leaves
and needle leaves. You can use a Venn diagram, or for young naturalists, a simple
t-chart might be the way to go. Create your Venn diagram by using overlapping
circles. Label one circle “broad leaves” and the other circle “needle leaves” and
*remember to only put the things they have in common in the center where the
two sections overlap.

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 5
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

What types of trees commonly have needle leaves? Broad leaves?

What do broad leaves and needle leaves have in common? How are they different?

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 6
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

What did you paint with your evergreen branches? How was it different than painting with a
brush?

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 7
 extend
the lesson
Form and Function
Use the diagrams to study the parts of a leaf. You can learn the internal and external
anatomy of both broad leaves and needle leaves. See if they have the same parts or
if their parts are different. You can research the internal leaf anatomy such as the cu-
ticle, epidermis, mesophyll, veins, and stoma. Young naturalists can study the basics -
blade, stem, midrib, veins, needle, and fascicle. You might also review photosynthesis
from lesson one, since it takes place in the leaves.

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 8
 EXTERNAL

leaf diagrams

Needle

Fascicle Sheath

Axil
Midrib

Vein

Blade

Petiole

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 9
 EXTERNAL

leaf diagrams
YO U R T U R N !

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 0
 INTERNAL

leaf diagrams
Upper Epidermis

Mesophyll

Mesophyll
Vein

Lower Epidermis

Stoma

Cuticle

Epidermis
Veins
Mesophyll
Stoma

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 1
 INTERNAL

leaf diagrams
YO U R T U R N !

p i n e s a n d n e e d l e s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 2
Need additional help or want to give valuable feedback? Send an email to [email protected].

www.fireflynatureschool.com
©2018-19 | All right reserved.
COOKIES
AND CLAY
L E S S O N S I X T E E N | F O R E V E R G R E E N
 C O O K I E S A N D C L AY

S K I L L S

Botany, Woodworking Skills, Artistic Expression, Writing, Scientific Observation

S U P P L I E S

Clay Paint markers

Conifer branches with needles Paper plates

Saw Markers or crayons

Sand paper Tree cookie diagram (included)

Twine Tree trunk section

Paint
 cookie crafting
If you’re like us, you like to to use natural items in your school day, especially at craft time.
Pine cones, acorns (my favorite), sticks, leaves, rocks, and feathers are often seen around our
table. I am not a crafting expert by any means, but there are a few things that I have in my artsy
arsenal. Crafting with tree cookies is one, and playing with clay is another.
We do a lot of both in the winter time for several reasons. 1.) it’s cold outside 2.) my kids love
hands on activities 3.) sculpting with clay is relaxing 4.) we have a lot of evergreen branches
and tree cookies around due to the Christmas season and our cedar groves 5.) they are fun
and versatile items. As an added bonus, this time of year, practical arts and crafts can be
wrapped up and sent as gifts for the grandparents and other friends and family. Hopefully the
following ideas will inspire some craft projects at your house or spark an idea all your own. If
so, please share #fireflynatureschool. We would love to see your ideas!

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 4
 tree cookies
Collect. You’re going to need branches or tree trunks for this one. You can find some in
your yard or on a nature walk (only get branches from the ground if they aren’t on your
property). If you have a Christmas tree, you can use the trunk after you take down your
tree. It’s a great way to recycle part of your tree. And keep it as a memento for years to
come.

Cut and dry. You will need to use a saw to cut slices or tree cookies out of your branches
or trunk. Adults should do this part of the activity, taking safety precautions you would
normally take when using sharp tools. Slices should be approximately ½ - 1 inch thick from
branches, and 1-2 inches thick from the trunk. You’ll need to set the slices on a tray and put
them out to dry in the sun or near a warm air vent for a couple days.

Craft. Using your sandpaper, smooth out any rough spots on the slices. Make sure to work
on all the edges. Brush or vacuum off any wood dust when you’re finished sanding.

Create. Let your imagination and creativity lead you. There are many things you can make
with your tree cookies. They can be polished and coated or left natural or painted. We like
to use our paint markers on the cookies, especially the smaller ones because it can be
difficult to use a brush in such a little area. Here are some ideas of things you can make
for your own use or as gifts for others. Cookie size will affect what you are able to make.

a.) Christmas ornaments - with a drill, you can add a small hole for ribbon to hang the
ornament.

b.) Coasters - you will need to add a waterproof coating.

c.) Canvas - use a tree cookie of large diameter as a canvas for painting or making a
sign.

d.) Math - use small cookies for counting or mark them with numbers and signs for
arithmetic equations. You can also practice measuring circumference and diameter
with cookies both large and small.

e.) Reading - make a tree cookie alphabet, and use them to learn letters or for spelling.

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 5
 impressions
Medium. We use air dry clay to make our projects. It takes a couple days for it to completely
dry, but it’s easy to use and we can paint on it after it’s dry. You will also need some conifer
branches to make impressions in the clay and acrylic paints to use when the clay dries.

Project ideas. We are making hanging Christmas ornaments and necklaces. But you could
also make small bowls or trays. Let your imagination take over!

DIY. It’s simple, which is why I like it. And beautiful, which makes it fun. All you need to do
is work the clay with your hands to make it malleable.

a.) For the ornaments/necklace, flatten your clay, and cut a circle, approximately two
inches wide (maybe a little smaller for a necklace) and ¼ inch thick. Use a toothpick
to make a hole in the top so you can string ribbon or twine through it for hanging
when you’re finished. Take your conifer branch and push it into the soft clay to make
an imprint of the needles. Pull out the branch, and if you like it, leave it to dry. If you
want to try again, smooth it out and start over. It’s forgiving. Let it dry in a safe place
for a few days. When it is dry, you can use paint to fill in the impression made by the
branches or cover the whole thing with color. When the paint is dry, it’s ready to wear
or hang on the tree.

b.) You can use the same process for making small trays or bowls with your clay. Follow
the same steps, except once the clay is malleable, form it into the shape and size you
want it to be. Smaller works better for drying without cracks. Use the branches for
imprints and paint when dry.

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 6
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

What did you make with your tree cookies? How do you plan to use them?

What was your favorite part of crafting or your favorite finished product?

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 7
questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

What was the most challenging part for you to do?

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 8
extend
the lesson
Art Into Science
Be sure to use a trunk slice for this activity. Tree cookies make excellent craft projects, but they can
be used for learning about trees as well. If you have a large slice, it works much better than a small one.
It’s easier to see the different features you will be looking for. Each year, trees add new layers of wood
to their trunks. On the tree cookie, it appears as alternating light and dark rings because growth in the
warmer months is fast and forms larger cells. This fast growth looks lighter than the small dark cells
formed from slow growth in the colder months. You’ve probably heard that you can count the dark rings
and see how many years the tree has been growing. But you can also learn more from these cookies.
They are full of information about the tree’s life. Look for these things...

• Study the cookie with a magnifying glass to see all the details up close.
• Count the dark rings to discover the tree’s age.
• Thick rings indicate plenty of precipitation and lots of growth, thin rings indicate little growth and
probably a dry year.
• If the tree leans as it grows, the rings may be larger on one side than the other.
• Dark spots or lines may be scars from fire.
• See if you can locate these parts on your tree cookie. Use the diagram provided.
- Bark - protects against temperature extremes, wind, rain, insects, etc
- Phloem - vessels through which food made during photosynthesis is carried through the tree
- Cambium - growth layer which produces new wood and new bark
- Sapwood or xylem - vessels for moving water up through the tree
- Heartwood - dense inner part of tree, forms from sapwood that loses its ability to transmit
water as the tree ages
• You can draw your own tree cookies using a paper plate and markers or crayons. Here are some
ideas for inspiration.
- Pick a time in history to depict with your tree cookie. Maybe you can include a time when
there were major droughts or floods in your area. Read about these parts of history and in-
corporate the rings into your cross-section.
- Make a tree cookie that is the same age as you, your favorite pet or a member of your
family.
- Tell a story with your tree cookie. Maybe your tree lived an exciting life that you can depict
on your cookie. You can write a short story to accompany your drawing.

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 9
 TREE COOKIES

L AY E R S O F T H E T R U N K

Bark

Phloem

Cambium

Xylem (Sapwood)

Heartwood

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 0
 TREE COOKIES

L AY E R S O F T H E T R U N K
YO U R T U R N !

c o o k i e s a n d c l ay | f o r e v e r g r e e n 1 1
Need additional help or want to give valuable feedback? Send an email to [email protected].

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©2018-19 | All right reserved.
CONNECTIONS
WITH CONIFERS
L E S S O N F I F T E E N | F O R E V E R G R E E N
CONNECTING WITH CONIFERS

S K I L L S

Observation, Research, Writing, Ecological Principles, Measuring, Scientific Method, Experiment

S U P P L I E S

Paper and pencil Ice

Binoculars Paper towel

Tree books Heat source - warm air vent, oven

Internet access Microscope or magnifying glass

Pine cones Camera

Mason jar Tape measure

Water
 grace and
protection
Conifers can be found growing on every major land mass except Antarctica. There
are approximately 600 species of these cone-bearing beauties around the world. They
grow in abundance in cool temperate and northern regions. But don’t count them out
in warmer tropical areas; they are more likely to be found higher on mountains in
these areas where the temperatures stay cooler. Species of pines and junipers are
the most wide-spread, extending from the northern continents south to the tropics.
Besides being wide-spread, conifers have other claims to fame. They represent
some of the world’s oldest and largest trees. And where conifers grow, they have
great value to people that live there. Conifers are fast growing softwoods, less dense
than hardwoods like oaks and maples, and they provide almost half of the world’s
lumber production. But conifers are used for much more than construction. Other
products include paper, plastics, tannins, turpentine, and pine nuts. They also grace
the landscape of many homes and businesses. And of course, my personal favorite,
they are used as Christmas trees during the holidays.
Wildlife depend on conifers as well. Animals may eat their seeds, and the thick,
needled branches of conifers offer protection from cold temperatures, precipitation
and wind. Because many conifers are evergreen, they provide year-round protection
for birds and other small animals.

c o n n e c t i n g w i t h c o n i f e r s | f o r e v e r g r e e n 4
 around the house
We are used to going on walks in nature, but this time you will hike around your house.
As you walk through your home, use your observation skills to see how many items you
can find that are made from wood or wood products. Then try to determine whether
conifers could have been the trees used to make the items. Take a paper and pencil with
you to make a list as you walk around the house. Items you might find are wood floors,
furniture, paper, toilet paper, cardboard boxes, pantry items, etc. Don’t forget to look
for holiday decorations this time of year such as Christmas trees, wreaths and garland.
Check the garage for lumber and plywood. Lastly, you may venture outside to see if you
have any conifers in your yard. Count up the number of items you found on your list. We
found eight items around our house and property that we could trace back to conifers.

Nature walk. Get outside where you can see some conifers in action. Winter time
is a great time for a conifer walk. They are easy to spot because they are usually
the only green trees left for the season. Take binoculars with you so you can look
closely at the trees? What animals or evidence of animals can you see?

Investigate. What animals use conifers for food and shelter in your area? Some
animals in the Ozarks that use these trees are cardinals, deer, squirrels, and hawks.
Conduct a small study to see what animals use conifers where you live. Use books
and the internet to add to the information you collected during your walk.

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questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

Think back to the all the products made from conifers. Were you surprised by any of the
products?

How many items did you find around your house that you could trace back to conifers? Did
you think it would be more or less?

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questions
to ponder
Think about these questions, jot down your answers, or discuss them with each other.

Were you able to spot any animals on your walk? How were they using the conifers?

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extend
the lesson
The Cone Zone
Conifers get their name from the fact that they make cones to help them reproduce or make more
conifers. These cones carry and protect the tree’s seeds. They are usually large enough to see easi-
ly and look like the common pine cone you have noticed on nature walks and probably even collect-
ed. Some conifers produce cones that are small and soft, almost berry-like in appearance. When the
weather is cool and wet, the cones’ scales are closed up. When it’s warm and dry, the scales open
up and seeds can be released and blown away in the wind, hopefully landing in a favorable location.

For this activity, we will use pine cones. You can take a look at pine cones close-up while learning
about them. But first you will need to collect some. I recommend having at least three. Parents,
young naturalists will need assistance with all aspects of this laboratory.
• What happens to the size and shape of a pine cone under different conditions? Test the pine
cone in cold, wet conditions as well as warm and dry conditions.
• Make your hypothesis and test it.
- Measure your pine cones and make note of results - length, width and circumference.Take
a photo of the cones.
- Fill up three Mason jars with ice water and place pine cones in water. Let sit for an hour.
Remove pine cones from cold water and measure the length width and circumference of
each pine cone again and write down the measurements. Take another photo of the cones.
- Place pine cones on a paper towel and let sit in a warm, dry area overnight. We put ours
near our heating vent on the floor. The next morning, take a photo of the cones and mea-
sure the length, width and circumference a third time. Make note of the results.
- Compare your pine cone photos and measurements. Did the appearance and the size and
shape of the pine cones change? When were they the biggest? Smallest?
- Thinking back to the purpose of pine cones, why do you think it’s an advantage for them to
be closed unless there’s warm and dry conditions?

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Need additional help or want to give valuable feedback? Send an email to [email protected].

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