Autumn Trees Nature Study Ideas

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
Fruits and berries nature study
Nuts and seeds nature study

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.

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Fruits and berries nature study

This season is also a great time to study our beautifully jewel-like wild fruits and berries, which you can find not only on our shrubs and trees, but also on climbers, creepers and herby plants.

Producing fruits and berries is one of the methods that trees use to help them spread their seeds and produce offspring. They appear because of fertilisation of the trees' flowers by butterflies and bees during the spring and summer months.

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?

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Nuts and seeds nature study

Autumn is also the season to look for our wild nuts and tree seeds. Especially as they mature, ripen and begin to fall from the trees, which makes them easier for us to find, handle and examine.

Unlike fruits and berries, many of our tree seeds developed following wind fertilisation of the trees catkins. Although, some also require fertilisation by butterflies, hoverflies and bees.

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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Well, there we go! I hope you enjoyed these autumn trees nature study ideas? If you would love to recieve updates about new blog posts and nature study tutorials, don't forget to sign up below and subscribe to My Nature Nook newsletter x

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