American Chestnut: Seedling

What do dogs and trees have in common? BARK!

Materials:

• Paper
• Crayon

The layer of wood covering the outside of the tree is called the tree’s bark. Bark helps to protect the tree from any harm that may come its way, including insects, animals, and harsh weather. In many ways, the bark of a tree protects it just as a person’s skin.

Activity:

With your piece of paper and a crayon, walk out to the tree. Look at the American Chestnut tree’s bark. What does it look like? Now touch it. What does it feel like? Now place your piece of paper on the bark. With your crayon, gently color or shade over the paper. Be careful not to press down too hard because the paper may rip. When you are done coloring your entire paper, lift it off the tree. The color should have lines and grooves showing the pattern of the tree’s bark.

This activity will get younger children thinking about the importance of different parts of trees, in particular the bark. Through their senses and observations, the children will be able to describe the physical characteristics of bark. By using their skills and hand coordination, they will produce a bark rubbing which will allow them to visually represent the bark and give them something tangible to take home to explain to Mom or Dad.

What did the dog say when he touched the tree?
Answer: “Rough! Rough!”

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