
Autumn trees nature study ideas
Hello! In this tutorial, I thought it would be nice to share some nice autumn trees nature study ideas to help you learn about and deepen your connection to nature this season. Are you ready? Lets get started!
Here are your quick links:
Autumn leaves nature study
Have you ever thought about why leaves change colour or why they fall in the autumn? It is all down to photosynthesis – or rather, the lack of photosynthesis. because of the cooler temperatures, shortening days and weakening sunlight.
You may be suprised to find out that leaves contain their bright yellow, orange, red and brown pigments all year round. Yep… it is just that you don’t notice the other colours while their green pigment is dominant during the summer months.
So, the next time you are out on an autumn nature walk, here are some tree leaf nature study ideas to ponder:
- Notice the colours in the trees. Do different species turn different colours? Why do you think that is?
- Can you find out which pigments make up the colours in a multicoloured leaf?
- Do all of the leaves on a single tree change colour and fall at the same time, or does one side change colour or fall off first – and why do you think that is?
- What happens when a leaf falls from the tree? Does it leave a scar and if so, what does that scar look like (and is it the same shape on all the different trees?)
- Lastly, why not see if you can identify any of the trees just by their leaves.
Useful resources for this section:
Fruits and berries nature study
So, the next time you are out on an autumn nature walk, keep your eyes open and see if you can spot any autumn berries. When you do, think about:
- How berries develop after fertilisation
- Why berries are different colours and the names of their pigments
- Why berries change colour as they mature and ripen
- How berries help the trees reproduce and make new trees
- If different birds prefer different berries – and why you think this is
- How berries might be useful to other wildlife too
- Can you identify any trees just by their berries?
Useful resources for this section:
Nuts and seeds nature study
So, as you are out and about, consider these questions:
- Why do some seeds have wings and how might this be useful?
- Why are nuts so tough and encased in hard or spiky shells or cases?
- If they do develop in spiky cases, why is it helpful for them to split open as the nuts fall (rather than before)?
- What exactly is the difference between nuts and seeds?
- How do animals like squirrels help trees produce more trees?
- Can you identify any trees just by looking at their nuts and seeds?
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