Activity 2: Parts of a Tree

Trees have limbs, trunks and roots. Think of the limbs like our arms, the trunks like our bodies and the roots as our feet.

NPS Image / Kelly Savannah

How you ever noticed how similar we are to trees?

Trees are living organisms just like us who need nutrients, air, water and sunlight to survive.

Trees are the largest plants on the planet, and they are perennial (which means they live more than 2 years). They have limbs, trunks and roots. Think of the limbs like our arms, the trunks like our bodies and the roots as our feet.

There are 6 parts that make up a tree. *See image below:

1. Roots-Secure the tree to the ground. While these parts are underground, they help to collect water and nutrients from the soil to transport up the tree to the other vital parts.
2. Trunk- The main stem of the plant that connects the roots to the limbs (branches) which supports the crown of the tree. The trunk also acts as a large pipe that allows for the transportation of water and nutrients to flow upward towards the leaves from the roots.
3. Branches- Grow from the trunk of the tree and help the transport water, sugar and nutrients to the leaves and canopy (crown) of the tree. They also help support the leaves that make up the canopy (crown).
4. Leaves-Grow from the stem which are attached to the branches to make up the canopy (crown) of the tree. They can be flat or needle-like and are usually green from a substance called Chlorophyll, which absorbs light from the sun to give the leaves their color. A leaf’s sole function is to convert energy from the sun into food (sugar), which is also known as photosynthesis.
5. Canopy (Crown)-This is the top part of the tree where the leaves and branches lie, which provides shade for the roots.
6. Fruit-Can also be known as a seed which helps with the production of new trees. However, some trees grow edible fruit (food) for animals and humans. Fruit usually grow from a bud or flower on the stem of a tree near the leaves.

Visual: Parts of a Tree

 

Drawing of a tree with all the parts of the tree labeled: Roots at the bottom of the tree, trunk is after the roots moving upward, branches grow off of the trunk, then you have the leaves that grow off of the branches, and then fruit and canopy.

NPS/ Kelly Savannah

 

Labeling Parts of a Tree Activity:

To complete this activity, you will want to use the Parts of a Tree Worksheet, to label the parts of a tree. Follow the instructions below:*Note the instructions are also on the worksheet.

1. First you will want to color in the tree with crayons.
2. Next, with parental supervision, you will want to cut out the words from the word bank.
3. Then using a glue stick, glue the words to the correct box to label the parts of the tree.
4. Once, you have finished you can hang up your finished artwork on your refrigerator or somewhere in your house!

 

Students holding hands in a circle playing the tree activity.

NPS Photo / Ranger Hollie Lynch

Extension Activity: Every Tree for Itself Game

Have you ever laid under a tree full of leaves and wondered how do trees eat, breathe and drink? How do trees survive? Find out how you can physically put yourself in a trees roots to understand these questions!