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For questions regarding this program or to schedule your own class Q&A with MetroPark staff, contact Education Staff at FRMP_Education@metroparks.org

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🤩Watch the video and pay attention to the events that have happened since our Oak has been alive.  What event would you like to know more about?  Do some research about your event and make a video sharing why you picked your event and one interesting fact you discovered.

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Outdoor Read Aloud: As An Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas

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Watch the video and think about the explanations for why the pedestal formed on our oak.  What do YOU think happened?

Record a video and tell us what you think and how you would test your hypothesis.  Remember a hypothesis is a question that you can test out to see if you are correct.

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Variables That Affect Tree Size

By: Stephen Jordan (email)

There are many factors or variables that affect size of a tree. They range from the amount of space available for growth to insects and diseases defoliating the tree. Can you name any other factors or variables that would influence growth of trees? Hopefully you thought of a few. Common factors are discussed below.

The species of tree is a very large player in how large a tree can become. A dogwood tree is not going to be as large as a white oak tree. The flowering dogwood is a small stature tree where as a white oak tree is a much larger stature tree. Every species of tree grows in its own unique way. Detailed information on the biology of many tree species found in the United States can be located at the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service website.

Another factor that influences how large a tree can become is the space available for it to grow roots. Below are two pictures. One is a tree in a parking lot and the other is growing out in an open area. The tree in the field will have ample space to grow. The tree in the parking lot only has a 4 foot by 4 foot growing area. If these two trees were planted at the same time and given the exact same amount of water, fertilizer, and sunlight the tree in the field would still grow to be larger because of the space available for its roots to expand.

A tree growing in a parking lot in approximately a 4 foot by 4 foot growing area.

A tree growing in an open area that has ample room to grow.

Tree growth is also influenced by how closely trees are planted to each other. For example in the two photos below one tree is open grown and the other trees are in a forest. The open grown tree doesn't have competition from other trees for sunlight. There fore it is more likely to grow outwards than upwards. In the forested picture the trees have very few low branches and compete to be the tallest. The forest trees are shaded by each other. This encourages them drop to their lower branches and concentrate growth at the top so that the tree doesn't become suppressed by the other trees around it. Notice how the trees in the pictures below differ from growing in an open area to growing in the forest.

A tree that is open grown.

A tree that is open grown.

Trees that have grown in a forest close together.

Trees that have grown in a forest close together.

Other factors that affect tree growth are water, available nutrients, and pH of the soil. Water is needed for tree growth. If water is limited the tree will have little growth. This is also true if nutrients in the soil are limited. The major nutrients that trees and all plants use are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). There are also micronutrients that trees and plants need as well.

The pH of the soil is also critical in tree growth. pH is the measure of acidity. There are tree species that prefer to grow in an acidic environment and grow poorly in alkaline environments. This is also true in reverse. Trees such as red maple can grow in a broad range of pH. However, pin oak a very popular urban tree requires an acidic pH and is often sickly and chlorotic (yellow) in soils that are not acid enough - A condition know as iron chlorosis.

Pin oak trees suffering from iron chlorosis caused by high soil pH.

Close up of yellow pin oak leaves due to iron chlorosis.

The factors mentioned here are the major factors that influence the size of a tree. Please visit the websites above or http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/factsheets.cfm for detailed information on each species.

Questions:
1. What are the main factors influencing the size of a tree?

2. What are the three main nutrients that trees need?

3. What influence does pH have on trees?

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Stephen Jordan - Variables That Affect Tree Size

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By: Stephen Jordan (email) There are many factors or variables that affect size of a tree. They range from the amount of space available for growth to insects and diseases defoliating the tree. Can you name any other factors or variables that would influence growth of trees? Hopefully you thought of a few.

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Have you ever wondered how many seeds a tree as large as the pedestal oak would make during a mast year? Let's find out with Shawna!

Watch the video, then go outside for a short walk and look for acorns, nuts and other large seeds. Make sure you have pockets or small bag to collect a few examples of what you find!

Make a video and tell us about what you found (you can share an example, if you want).  Have any of your seeds been eaten by animals?  How can you tell?  Would your seed grow if it was left where you found it?  Why or why not?

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You get to be the Dendrologist (scientist that studies trees) and determine the age of a tree in your yard, neighborhood or local park!  See the directions attached for how to do this and then make a video telling us where you found the tree and how old you think the tree is based on your observations and calculations!

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Many trees, like Sycamore, Cottonwood and some Oak, thrive when they are along rivers or close to water.  Even though we know trees don't have feet, we say they like their feet wet because their roots are always in or very near water.  Trees also help the river in lots of ways.

Watch the video and notice how big our Oak tree is at the beginning of the video.

Make a video and tell us how you think the Oak helps the river.  What about the animals that live in and around the river?

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The area alongside a stream or river is referred to as a riparian zone. Plants growing along the banks are called riparian vegetation, which is primarily made up of water loving plants. Riparian zones are sometimes called buffers since they help filter pollutants out of water flowing across the landscape towards waterways. Riparian buffers areas may be natural or engineered for restoration or soil stabilization.

One of the most important functions of riparian vegetation is its ability to control erosion and prevent sediment pollution in the stream. Increased sediment and silt in stream water can clog fishes' gills, bury their eggs, cover their food sources on the stream bottom, and cloud the water, shading out the sun needed for aquatic life. Vegetation on the shoreline, combined with the meandering curves of the stream or river, helps dissipate stream energy, resulting in less soil erosion and flood damage.

Shoreline and overhanging vegetation provides habitat that supports microbes, stream insects, and other food sources for fish and other aquatic life. The shading effect of vegetation also helps keep water temperatures cool, which is necessary for salmon to reproduce and thrive. Fallen trees and branches in streams can also provide pools and hiding areas for juvenile fish and other aquatic life.

Shoreline vegetation also provides a natural biofilter that helps reduce pollution in surface runoff and shallow groundwater. Plants take up nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizers and animal waste. This helps prevent algal blooms, which consume oxygen in the water (when they naturally die off) that is essential for the health of fish and other aquatic organisms.

In many cases, clearing along our streams and waterways has come too close to our waters, which warrants an increase in the buffer width of natural vegetation. In general, studies show that buffers along ditches and streams trap eroded soils, filter pollutants such as fecal bacteria from pets and livestock, and can provide wildlife corridors. The National Marine Fisheries Service offers recommendations for buffer widths based on stream type. In general:

For man-made ditches and streams without anadromous fish (i.e. salmon), minimum buffer widths of 35'-50' are recommended

For fish-bearing streams, minimum buffer widths of 100' are recommended, and

For fish-bearing tidal streams, minimum buffer widths of 35'-75' are recommended.

Local regulations and site conditions vary and some sources of financial assistance for installing a vegetation buffer may include specific buffer width requirements. For more detailed guidance and assistance please contact your local Conservation District or Planning Department.

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The Importance of Streamside Plants & Trees | Shore Stewards | Washington State University

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The area alongside a stream or river is referred to as a riparian zone. Plants growing along the banks are called riparian vegetation, which is primarily made up of water loving plants. Riparian zones are sometimes called buffers since they help filter pollutants out of water flowing across the landscape towards waterways.

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Welcome to Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark! We are excited to explore the life of our pedestal Oak with you today!
After watching this video, record a short video of your own and...

Say Hello

Let us know if you've been to a Five Rivers MetroPark before, and tell us about your favorite thing to do outdoors.

Wegerzyn MetroPark

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Third Grade

Life Science (LS) Topic: Behavior, Growth and Changes

This topic explores life cycles of organisms and the relationship between the natural environment and an organism’s (physical and behavioral) traits, which affect its ability to survive and reproduce.

Content Statement: Plants and animals have life cycles that are part of their adaptations for survival in their natural environments.

Social Studies

Heritage

Content Statement: Local communities change over time.

Fourth Grade

Life Science (LS)

Topic: Earth’s Living History This topic focuses on using fossil evidence and living organisms to observe that suitable habitats depend upon a combination of biotic and abiotic factors.

4.LS.1: Changes in an organism’s environment are sometimes beneficial to its survival and sometimes harmful.

Ecosystems are based on interrelationships among and between biotic and abiotic factors. These include the diversity of other organisms present, the availability of food and other resources, and the physical attributes of the environment.

Fifth Grade

Life Science (LS)

Topic: Interconnections within Ecosystems This topic focuses on foundational knowledge of the structures and functions of ecosystems.

5.LS.1: Organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem.

Populations of organisms can be categorized by how they acquire energy.

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Please fill out a quick evaluation if you used our content so we can continue to grow.

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Gardening Virtual School Program Evaluation

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This document will provide everything you need for the virtual fieldtrip.

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Understanding the value of trees from Project Learning Tree

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Understanding the value of trees from Project Learning Tree

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The family activity below uses information that students gather from a tree in their own backyard or neighborhood to calculate its monetary value for all the services its provides: carbon sequestration, pollution prevention, heat and cooling savings, and more!

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Trees do more than provide products such as fruits and wood. They also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and pollution, reduce flood risks due to rainfall, and provide energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling.

In this activity you will calculate the dollar value of trees using i-Tree MyTree - a free online tool by the US Forest Service.

Take children outside to an area with trees.

Choose a few trees, identify their species, and measure their circumference.

Next, go to https://mytree.itreetools.org/.

Follow the instructions to produce a simple "nutrition-style" label that shows a tree's benefits (see Figure 1).

Complete the Tree Value Chart found in the activity and reflect:

Why is it important to care for trees?

How does the value of one tree compare to the value of other trees?

Do trees with a larger circumference provide greater values?

Why do you think that might be?

This family activity is based on Project Learning Tree's Teaching with i-Tree unit.

All PLT activities are copyright protected. Please remember to reproduce responsibly.
Click here for our Content Reprint and Adaptation Policy.

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Family Activity: What's the Value of that Tree? - Project Learning Tree

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Trees do more than provide products such as fruits and wood. They also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and pollution, reduce flood risks due to rainfall, and provide energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling.

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Understanding how we estimate age for large trees

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Understanding how we estimate age for large trees

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This chart explains how we can use scientific research to estimate age on really large trees.

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When we say that we found an oak that is at least 400 years old, what do we base that conclusion on? Obviously, we would have to cut the tree down to count the rings, and unless it is already dead, we aren't going to do that!

The short answer is that we look the size up on a table that Marlin Bowles at the Morton Arboretum created to help people estimate the age of various trees based on the tree's diameter at breast height (dbh):

The table was created using actual data from a large number of trees that were "aged" either after death or by using a coring tool that allows one to take a small core from the tree so that the rings can be counted without cutting the tree down. The various ages for the various diameters of the various species of trees were analyzed and a table showing the approximate age for different diameters of different species was created.

One important thing to notice, however, is that the table stops at 39" dbh. So, for the really large trees - like the 54 ½" white oak at Gateway Park or the 48" bur oak at Hennen Conservation Area, one has to extrapolate.

In the case of the 54½" white oak, we look at the table that tells us a 39" white oak is about 298 years old. Our specimen is 40% larger than that, which would mean 417 years old if it grew in diameter at the same rate when it was 300 as it did when it was much younger. To be a little conservative, we say the tree could be 400 years old.

In the case of the 48" bur oak, again, we know that a 39" specimen is about 254 years old. A 48" tree is about 23% larger than that, so we would calculate it to be 312 years old, and say the tree could be 300 years old!

We won't be able to say for sure until the tree is dead. In the meantime, let's not argue over a few years one way or the other!

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When we say that we found an oak that is at least 400 years old, what do we base that conclusion on? Obviously, we would have to cut the tree down to count the rings, and unless it is already dead, we aren't going to do that!

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The Tree Benefit Calculator allows anyone to make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide.

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Understanding This Tool:

The Tree Benefit Calculator allows anyone to make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. This tool is based on street tree assessment tool called . With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis.

The Tree Benefit Calculator is intended to be simple and accessible. As such, this tool should be considered a starting point for understanding trees' value in the community, rather than a scientific accounting of precise values. For more detailed information on urban and community forest assessments, visit the website.

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Understanding This Tool: The Tree Benefit Calculator allows anyone to make a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. This tool is based on street tree assessment tool called . With inputs of location, species and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis.

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This blog post has lots of images of different types of oaks that can be found in Ohio.

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Oaks are one of the largest groups of woody plants in Ohio. I will not discuss every last species found in the state, but concentrate on 11 of the most common. Before we dive into the species, let's see what makes up an oak tree.

Oaks are known for their fruit, commonly called acorns. They are partially covered by a cap or cup. These are examples of Ohio species, and one California Live Oak, the long rifle bullet shaped nut. The white oak group have bumpy or warty scales on their caps, and the red oaks have flat scales looking more like snake skin. The white oaks produce acorns every year, while the red oaks take two years to mature. Acorns are edible, but you want to boil out the bitter tannins first. White Oaks are sweeter tasting, but both groups are important to wildlife.

If the tree is too small to produce acorns, you can still identify it as an oak. Most types of trees have a single bud at the tip of each twig. Oaks have multiple buds clustered around the end of each branch.

Oaks have both male and female flowers on the same tree. The female portions are very small and found scattered on the branches. These are male flowers dangling down in a catkin like form. The flowers are bland, and not important in identifying species.

One of the easiest ways to start identifying oaks to species is to split them into two groups. The White Oaks have rounded lobes on their leaf margins. I'll cover six species that belong to this group.

The Red Oaks have bristle tipped leaves. They look like little hypodermic needles at the end of each lobe. I'll mention five of these species as well.

Above is the typical shape of the Red Oak batch. This one is Black Oak Quecus velutina. The problem is this shape is also similar to the Red, Scarlet, and Pin Oaks, so you have to dig a little farther than just leaf shape.

The key feature on Black Oak is the fuzzy look and feel of the leaf petiole, buds, and new growth twig.

Look closely at the leaf underside. The main veins and most of the leaf will have a velvety feel, hence the latin name velutina.

The leaves of species in the Red Oak group are notorious for showing variation in shape, and Black Oak is no exception. Leaves found on the lower portions of the tree are fatter and have shallower lobes and sinuses. Even when looking like this, the hairy feel is still obvious. If we stay away from strickly leaf shape, is there anything else to use? How about "da bud".

The buds are covered in hairs from top to bottom. After the leaves die, many will lose the hairy texture, but the buds will remain the same. These are buds from the top of the tree, and are always hairier than the lower buds.

Here are buds from a lower branch. You can see some orange scales popping through, which causes confusion with Scarlet Oak which we'll see in a minute. Examine it up close, especially with a hand lens, and you'll see every scale still covered in hair. Black Oak buds are long pointed and angled like a pyramid.

If the tree is too tall to examine leaves or buds, search the ground for acorns. The caps are bowl shaped like others, but differ in having the rim or edges frayed. In other words each scale stands erect and points upward, like wind blown roof shingles.

Last but not least is the bark. Black Oak has a darker bark than many of the other oaks it grows with. In the upper portions it is striped, and resembles Red and Scarlet, but further down the stripes disappear and it forms a blocky appearance. Many say it has a dirty texture to it due to the lichens and mosses growing on it. This is true, but lichens can grow on any oak, so I don't need to touch it, just look at it and compare it to others. Black Oaks grow in any habitat, but are more common in upland dry soils.

To many, especially those from northern Ohio, this may resemble a Pin Oak. That's why leaf shape in unreliable. This is Scarlet Oak, Quercus coccinea. Both species have deep sinuses like this, appearing as if caterpillars ate away most of the surface area. In our part of the state, Scarlet is only found on upper slopes and ridge tops. Pin Oak is a bottomland species. It is often written that Scarlet Oak leaves show bits of hair gathered at the intersection of leaf veins on the lower surface. Yes they are there, but other oaks show this as well, so I personally never use that trait.

Scarlet does have a similar growth form to Pin, keeping a lot of dead lower branches. Pin Oak forms more of an umbrella with its lower limbs, where Scarlet just looks scrubby. In areas without hills, look for it in dry soils.

The similarity ends when you look at the buds. Scarlet has hairy scales on the top of the bud, and hairless scales on the bottom half. The red and white bud gives it the appearance of snow capped mountains. Pin Oak buds are brown and hairless.

The acorn cap is bowl shaped like that of Black, but the scales are not erect. They lay flat, appressed against one another.

Many Scarlet Oak acorns will show concentric rings, or a bullseye on the top portion. This is another clue to identification, but not all Scarlets will have these rings.

Here is the Pin Oak, Quercus palustris, showing variation in leaf shape. Pin Oak is a tree of bottomlands and wet areas. It is not common in unglaciated Ohio, but very abundant in flatlands elsewhere.

Like Scarlet, Pin Oak retains many lower branches, but on this species they are often alive. The lower branches may spread out when the tree is planted in the open. When competing with other trees, those low branches may grow straight down.

This growth form is more easily observed in winter condition.

Pin Oak acorns are some of the smallest of the oaks in Ohio. When maturing they will be covered with white or brown hairs.

After falling, the rain will wash the hair off and expose a two colored look similar to a striped watermelon. You can also rub the hairs off by hand.

The leaf shape of Red Oak Quercus rubra, is the same as Black Oak. Remember though that Black is hairy everywhere. All parts of the Red Oak are hairless and smooth.

Red oak produces a very fat acorn, pumpkin like in shape. The cap does not cover very much of the nut.

The caps are often the size of a quarter. They are quite flat, and resemble a French beret.

Just like the leaves, the buds of Red are completely hairless. If you were bald and spent the summer in the hot sun, you'd be sunburned red like this too.

If there are no leaves, buds, or fruit available, once again the bark is key to identification. The trunk has vertical dark and light gray stripes from top to bottom. The bark looks runny or finger painted.

Red Oak is a clean growing tree, seldom showing much in the way of dead branches. For this reason it is highly valued as a timber species. They grow anywhere, but do best on lower slopes, especially north or east facing hillsides.

Hmm, I'm looking around the ground and I see evidence of acorns present, but nothing that resembles an oak leaf. These can't be it.

Nary a lobe or sinus is anywhere to be found, yet this is an oak. Shingle Oak, Quercus imbricaria. It is our only unlobed oak here in the north. Because of that I don't need to check buds, fruit, or anything else for that matter. Shingle is one of the easiest oaks in Ohio to identify. Of course if you head to the southern states, there are many species with unlobed leaves. So is it a Red or White member? Look closely at the top of the leaf.

A leaf need not have many bristles on it. This single bristle at the leaf tip puts it in the Red Oak group.

Shingle Oak is a very scraggly growing species. Its branches are often short, thick, and form dense clusters throughout the tree. Shingle also retains a large portion of its leaves through the winter.

All oaks commonly have wasp galls growing on them. It's not unusual for Shingle Oak to be covered with these hard Horned Gouty Galls. Disfiguring maybe, but they really don't interfere with tree growth.

One other thing the previous five species have in common is they all show what I call hard dark bark. That character will change with the next group of species.

Can't think of a better way to start the white oak group than with White Oak Quercus alba itself. The leaves range from shallow to deep lobed, depending where on the tree they're found. There is a slight white look to the undersides. In the central hardwood forest White Oak is the most important species both ecologically and economically.

White Oak buds are smaller and more blunt than members of the Red Oak group. Their twigs are long and narrow, and commonly covered with a white or glaucous coating.

The acorn caps have raised scales or warty bumps. They look covered in goosebumps. These fruit are highly sought after by wildlife including deer, grouse, turkey, and squirrel.

White Oak bark really stands out in a forest. The trunk is covered with small rectangular white plates that easily flake off when rubbed.

In our area, this white oak bark is nearly identical to Swamp White, Chinquapin, and Post Oak. With the exception of Shingle Oak, it is often necessary to use multiple characters in identifying oaks. Buds, leaf, bark, and fruit all play a roll in separating them out. Half of the oaks covered in this post are also limited to specific habitats.

Here is an example. You are walking along and notice a tree with white flaky bark. The leaves look different than White Oak, and there are many scraggly lower branches, both dead and alive. Because you are in a wet bottomland, this is likely something different.

This is Swamp White Oak, Quercus bicolor. The leaves have shallow lobes like several other species, but notice the lobes are all concentrated near the top. There are very few to no lobes at the leaf bottom.

The leaves have a very thick texture to them. The undersides are white and covered with soft velvety hairs.

On large trees the white flaking begins to show long fissures. I never use this, as I don't find it distinct. Don't look at the bottom of the tree, but a bit further up for a hint.

Like Pin Oak, Swamp White branches all tend to droop or grow downward. The silhouette of this tree is helpful in identification. Swamp White is not frequent in our hill country, but more widespread through the rest of Ohio.

Another key feature are the acorns, in particular the stems. They are very long compared to other oaks, and have the look of a pipe.

Post Oak, Quercus stellata, is a species of the south central United States. Its range in Ohio is restricted to the southern half of the state. The leaf is distinct in having its primary lobes widest at the shoulder area. It looks like a cross or ghost. In our area, Post Oak is found strictly on dry ridge tops.

Even if you can't reach the branches, just look up into the crown. That leaf shape will be apparent.

Since we are talking ghost shaped leaves, this is Quercus stellata variety casperi. It is a rare form known as the 'friendly' ghost shape. Wave hi.

It has small acorns, and the caps are covered with raised arrow-head shaped scales.

Post Oak often shows dark and light patches in the bark. Although White Oak can also have a patchwork appearance at times, combining the bark with leaves, fruit, and habitat, insures you have a Post Oak.

Speaking of high slopes and ridge tops, here is another species to look for in those sites. This is Chestnut Oak. The leaves have evenly shallow lobes from top to bottom. In Ohio it is found throughout the unglaciated portions of the state. It was originally known as Quercus montana, then changed to Q. prinus, and has now gone back to montana.

Contrary to most of the white oaks, Chestnut Oak has long, sharply pointed buds. Both the buds and twigs may be a bright orange in color.

The fruit is once again helpful in identification. The caps are shaped like a wine goblet. The nut is elongate and football shaped. I tell students to think of football and Joe Montana to remember the latin name. When these fruits hit the ground in the fall, they immediately start to germinate.

Perhaps the easiest way to identify this tree is by the trunk. Again, it breaks the rule of having white flaky bark. It is deeply furrowed, gray, and very hard. It reminds me of cement. Another common name for this tree is Rock Chestnut Oak.

Here is a species that has acorns and bark similar to White Oak, but leaves similar to Chestnut Oak. This is Chinquapin Oak, Quercus muehlenbergii. In our area it's usually found on lower slopes, and is an indicator of alkaline soils.

Chinquapin Oak leaves are similar to Chestnut Oak, but the lobes are not as rounded. They come to a much sharper point, ending in what I call a little nub. They are serrate, but often incorrectly keyed out as having bristle tips.

The bark is virtually identical to White Oak. The rule for identification: If it has bark like a white, and leaves like a Chestnut, it's Chinquapin.

Here are a couple of pressed specimens of perhaps the strangest and craziest shaped leaves of all the oaks.

These highly variable leaf shapes can only belong to Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa. Bur Oak is absent in the Athens County area, but otherwise found throughout Ohio. It grows best when there is little competition, so it is common on field edges, along river floodplains, and in prairie margins.

The bark is similar to Swamp White, but the acorns make it unmistakable. Look for little 'burs' growing on the edge of the cap.

Upon maturity, those burs will have grown into what feel like stiff hairs. Because of this it is often called Mossy-cup Oak. The name macrocarpa refers to the fact that these produce the largest of all acorns. They commonly reach golf ball size, and I've seen a few start to approach a tennis ball in circumference.

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Oaks are one of the largest groups of woody plants in Ohio. I will not discuss every last species found in the state, but concentrate on 11 of the most common. Before we dive into the species, let's see what makes up an oak tree. Oaks are known for their fruit, commonly called acorns.

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We had a huge, shady oak tree in our front yard for many years. So the kids got to explore an oak tree life cycle up close.

When we had to have it cut down a few years ago, we were genuinely sad.

What's fascinating, though, is that we still have tiny oak tree plants that shoot up in the middle of our bushes to this day.

So many of the tree's acorns have been buried under the ground over the years that they keep germinating and growing, no matter what!

So I thought it would be cool to share a printable oak tree life cycle activity that you can use to teach students about how oak trees grow, even if you don't have a live oak tree nearby.

This would be an excellent fall science lesson or an activity to place at science centers during this time of year!

Read on to see how to get your set free! And, for more fall science, don't miss our Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Oak Tree Life Cycle Activity

To use this printable oak tree life cycle activity, you'll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This set includes a cut and paste life cycle diagram, as well as a printable oak tree life cycle wheel.

Use the wheel to help students memorize the steps in the growth of an oak tree.

Then challenge them to place the steps in the right order with the cut and paste activity.

You could even laminate the labeling activity and use hook and loop tape to turn it into a reusable lesson for centers or busy bags!
Scroll down to get your copy of this printable Oak Tree Life Cycle Activity!
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We had a huge, shady oak tree in our front yard for many years. So the kids got to explore an oak tree life cycle up close. When we had to have it cut down a few years ago, we were genuinely sad.