Autumn Trees Nature Study Ideas

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

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

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?

Useful resources for this section:

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?

Useful resources for this section:

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Autumn Cordial Recipes

autumn cordial recipes

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5 Autumn Cordial Recipes

Hello! Today I have decided to share some of my favorite autumn cordial recipes from around the web (links to the original are attached to each recipe). I know it is a little late for some of the berries now, but I have been a bit too busy with my little ones to have posted this earlier. They are definitely delicious though, so make sure to bookmark this page for next year! Are you ready to dive in? Here are some quick links to the recipes:

(P.S. If you would love to learn more about foraging and grow your foraging confidence, check out this online foraging course by The Herbal Academy.)

To make this blackberry and vanilla cordial, you will need:

  • 1 kg blackberries
  • 1.5 litres cold water
  • 500g sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod

To begin with, prepare your blackberries by rinsing them thoroughly. Then place them into a large pan and cover them with the water. Bring this solution to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes.

Next, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cheesecloth and return it to the pan (do not squeeze or it will make your cordial cloudy). Add the sugar and vanilla heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then bring it up to a boil and boil vigorously for about 10 minutes, skimming off any scum that rises.

Finally, remove from the heat, remove the vanilla pod and pour into a clean, sterilised bottle. It should last about 3 months if kept in a cool, dark place.

To make this blackberry and vanilla cordial, you will need:

  • 1 kg blackberries
  • 1.5 litres cold water
  • 500g sugar
  • 2 whole star anise

To begin with, prepare your blackberries by rinsing them thoroughly. Then place them into a large pan and cover them with the water. Bring this solution to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes.

Next, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cheesecloth and return it to the pan (do not squeeze or it will make your cordial cloudy). Add the sugar and star anise and heat the mixture gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Return it to a boil and boil vigorously for about 10 minutes, making sure to remove any scum.

Finally, remove from the heat, remove the star anise and pour into a clean, sterilised bottle. It should last about 3 months if kept in a cool, dark place.

To make elderberry cordial, you will need:

  • 500g elderberries
  • 500ml water
  • 350g sugar
  • 1/2 a lemon rind and 1tbsp lemon juice

To make the cordial, first strip the berries from their stalks using a fork and rinse them, then place them into a saucepan with the lemon rind. Next, cover them with water and simmer gently for about 30 minutes until the berries are soft and mushy.

Next, strain the liquid and place it back into the pan. Add the sugar and lemon juice, then bring to a gentle boil and simmer, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. You can then add more sugar or lemon juice according to your taste, before allowing the cordial to cool. Once it has completely cooled, pour it into a clean bottle to store.

If sealed and stored correctly in a cool, dark place, your cordial should last about 2 years. But, keep it refrigerated once opened.

P.S. Check out this amazing elderberry, elecampane and liquorice cough syrup by The Herbal Academy.

To make hawthorn berry cordial, you will need:

  • 400g of hawthorn berries
  • 2 tsp fresh, chopped ginger
  • 3 crushed cardamom pods
  • 1 cinammon stick
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 cup of honey or sugar

To begin with, prepare your hawthorn berries by removing their stalks and rinsing them, then pour them into a pan along with the ginger and cover them with water. Bring this to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes until the berries turn to mush. (You can mash the berries every 10 minutes or so with a potato masher to help them along.)

Next, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cheesecloth, mashing it to extract as much liquid as possible, then measure it before returning the liquid to the pan. For every cup of liquid, add an equal cup of sugar or honey, then return the mixture to a boil. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove it from the heat and pour it into your bottle.

This should last for about 3 weeks in the fridge.

You can find another great hawthorn cordial recipe here. (External link)

To make your rowan berry cordial, you will need:

  • 1 kg of rowan berries
  • 1 kg of tart apples (e.g. crab apples)
  • 1 1/4 litres of cold water

To begin with, prepare your rowan berries by removing their stalks and rinsing them, then put them in a container and into the freezer for about 1 hour. This helps to mellow down any tart, astringenty bitterness. Meanwhile, chop up the apples and once the rowan berries have sufficiently mellowed, add them both to a large pan.

Then, cover them with the water, bring to a boil and simmer until the berries have turned mushy. Next, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cheesecloth by allowing it to drip for about 30 minutes (try not to squeeze too much, or the cordial will turn cloudy), then measure the liquid before returning the liquid to the pan.

For every litre of liquid, add 2 cups of sugar (or honey), stir the mixture and allow it to return to a boil, making sure to remove any scum. Then, remove it from the heat and pour it into your clean, sterilised bottle.

This should last for about 3 weeks if kept in a cool, dark place.

Summary

Well, there we go! I hope you enjoyed being inspired by these delicious autumn cordial recipes. I would love to know which you tried and if you also enjoyed them. You can share a comment below.

P.S. If you would love to be notified about new Nature Nook tutorials, you can subscribe to my blog and newsletter by clicking the button below x

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What To Look For On An Autumn Nature Walk

what to look for on an autumn nature walk

What to look for on an autumn nature walk

Hello! In this tutorial, we are going to look at how to do an autumn nature walk and what to look for on an autumn nature walk. Are you ready? Lets get started!

Doing an autumn nature walk

When doing any nature walk, not just an autumn nature walk, it is worth taking a moment before you start, to think about what you might expect to smell, hear and see. Then, think about where you might find those things.

In most of our habitats, the main groups you will expect to find, are trees, plants, birds, bugs and animals.

And to find them, we need to pay attention to our six nature walk directions.

  • Up in the sky
  • In the canopy
  • Above head level
  • Within the shrub layer
  • Among the plant layer
  • On or below the ground

Lets see what we might find in each category.

Identifying Autumn Trees

In all seasons, there are clues and signs to look for when identifying trees and fortunately, autumn is no exception. In fact, it can be easier to identify any trees you find in the autumn, than in any other season.  Why? Because there are so many clues around to help you.

Tree signs to look out for in the autumn, include, leaves, nuts and seeds, berries and fruit, buds, cones, bark. 

You can find trees in many places - woodlands, hedgerows, parks and even along city streets. Remember to look in all directions for your clues - you may well see seeds flying like helicopters through the sky or nuts being buried (often by birds or animals) under the surface of the earth!

Plants to spot in the autumn

While we may associate plants with the spring and summer, there are still a variety of plants (and non-plants) to spot in the autumn. Again, look in all the directions. You may find plants way up in the tree canopy as well as in the ground.

Some plants (and not-quite-plants) to look for, are, ivy, mistletoe, 'weeds', flowering plants such as Michaelmas daisy and cyclamen, ferns, moss and lichens.

Remember, you can find plants in the most unlikely places, including between concrete slabs and walls, in meadows, fields, forests, hedgerows, riversides, seasides... the list goes on!

What birds can I spot in the autumn?

The fact that trees and shrubs at this time of the year are bursting with seeds, fruits and berries, makes it an excellent time to spot autumn birds. Not just that, but there is also a cross-over between our usual birds, and seasonal visitors. You may see flocks flying overhead, or gathering and swirling over the fields; visiting our garden bird feeders, or hiding in the shrubs and hedgerows.

Some of the birds to look for, are:

  • Geese, swans and ducks
  • Fieldfares, redwings and waxwings
  • Starings, blackbirds, robins
  • Bluetits, great tits, long-tailed tits
  • Woodpeckers, goldcrests and nuthatches
  • Owls and other birds of prey

Remember - you may not always see them - sometimes you can hear them. So, always keep your ears open - even in the city. We once visited a busy Christmas market. It was so noisy, that we barely heard the little twitter, twitter, twitter going on in the background. But, after tuning into the sound and finally looking up, we were greeted with the sight of hundreds of beautiful, pink, long-tailed tits all gathered in the trees around the market. There were so many, just above head level, and yet nobody had noticed. It was an experience I have never forgotten.

What Insects can I spot in the autumn?

Even though many insects disappear in the winter, there are still plenty of bugs to go around. Again, keep you eyes and ears open in all directions in order to find them. Here are a few examples:

  • Spiders
  • Craneflies
  • Moths
  • Beetles
  • Worms
  • Slugs and snails

Which animals can I find in the autumn?

As in all seasons, much of our wildlife is timid and shy. But, if you stay really calm and quite and keep your eyes wide open, you may begin to notice them - or signs of them. The animals themselves, their homes, their left-over meals, scat, tracks and footprints... they are all there if you pay attention.

Some of the animals you are most likely to see, are foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, mice, bats, squirrels and deer.

Foxes can be spotted... anywhere, hedgehogs might be night-time visitors in your own back garden. Mice can be found in thickets or tall grass; badgers are very shy, but you might stumble across their sets in the forest. Deer can be spotted in fields, parks and forest clearings; bats can be spied at dusk near canals, and rivers. And, of course, squirrels can also be spotted almost anywhere!

Which can you spot on your nature walks?

Ideas for your autumn nature journal

Some great ideas for your autumn nature journal, are:

  • Watch, sketch and write about migrating geese flocks
  • Gather, sketch, press and describe autumn leaves
  • Sketch and describe nuts and seeds
  • Find and sketch animal or bird tracks

Make sure to note down the colours and textures of the things you see; the way they move, the sounds they make; the impressions they give you when you see or handle them.

Ideas for an autumn nature table

One way to encourage thoughtful and spontaneous nature study, is to keep a nature table. These can be a mixture of sketches, photographs, notes or finds. A few ideas, are:

  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fruits and berries
  • Pine cones
  • Autumn leaves
  • Bird feathers

Look at them, handle them and generally think about them. Why do sycamore seeds have membranous wings? Why are conkers round? Is there  reason this feather is short and fluffy, but that feather sleek and long? Why are some autumn leaves orange, others yellow and some red? What are pine cones?

Summary

Well... there we go! A run through of what to look for on your autumn nature walk. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial? Let me know in the comments. Happy nature walking and see you soon!

P.S. If you enjoyed this tutorial, don't forget to subscribe by clicking the button below x

What next?

Check out these related links and resources:

What Makes Leaves Change Their Colour In Autumn?

why do leaves change colour

Why do leaves change colour in the autumn?

Hello! In this tutorial, we are going to look at how and why tree leaves change their colour in the autumn. We will also look at why some leaves turn yellow, while others turn orange or red. Are you ready? Lets get started!

Here are your quick links:

Why do leaves change colour?

Here is a quick over view of autumn leaves and their many colours.

  • Leaves contain several different coloured pigments - green chlorophyll, red anthocyanin, yellow xanthophyll and orange carotenoid 
  • There is so much more chlorophyll compared to the other pigments, that the leaves appear green.
  • Autumn's cold weather and reduced daylight hours prompt trees to enter a state of hibernation
  • Chlorophyll makes energy for the tree, but needs sunlight to function.
  • It also costs the tree a lot of energy to make its chlorophyll
  • So, they stop producing chlorophyll in order to save energy
  • Once the there is no more chlorophyll, we see the other pigments shine!

Are you ready to learn more? Let's go!

Why do trees have leaves?

To understand why leaves change colour, we must first understand why trees have leaves in the first place.

Leaves are basically the kitchens of plants and trees. They take the main ingredients a tree needs to live (sunlight and carbon dioxide), combines them with water and minerals (absorbed by the trees’ roots), and uses sunlight to cook them up into oxygen and sugars. These sugars can then be used as an energy source by the tree.

Why are leaves green?

In order to acquire the sunlight it needs to cook its food, trees have a special pigment (called chlorophyll) inside their leaves. Chlorophyll absorbs the sunlight and uses it as a catalyst (a helper) in this energy-making process. (This process is called photosynthesis.)

Chlorophyll is green - and there is LOTS of it in every leaf. So, most leaves look green. But, chlorophyll is not the only pigment present inside leaves.

There are actually several pigments, each with their own special function. The most important of these, are chlorophyll (green), carotenoids (orange), xanthophyll (yellow), tannins (brown) and anthocyanins (red).

But there is so much chlorophyll compared to the others, that it completely masks them to the point that we cannot see the other colours. That is, until the arrival of autumn.

What makes leaves change colour in the autumn?

As autumn sets in, the temperatures drop and the nights draw in, reducing daylight hours. This means less cooking or food-making time for the tree, which means less photosynthesis.

The amount of energy created by the chlorophyll drops significantly - even though the tree is still using up energy to make it. (This change in temperature and daylight, is called photoperiodism). It makes no sense for the tree to be wasting energy in making chlorophyll if it is not getting anything back. So, it stops making chlorophyll.

(Remember, there is more than one pigment present in tree leaves. It is just the vast quantity of chlorophyll that makes us see leaves as green. So, it makes sense that once the tree stops producing chlorophyll, we will start to see the other pigments present in the leaves.)

But even these pigments compete with each other. Remember, xanthophyll is yellow, carotenoids are orange and anthocyanins are red. So, if there are more carotenoids and xanthophyll than anthocyanins, we see the leaves as orange or yellow. But if there are more anthocyanins than carotenoids, then the leaves appear red.

How does weather affect leaf colour?

Like chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanin are also dependent on temperature and daylight hours - especially anthocyanin.

So, sometimes, if the season is cold and bright, red leaves become much more vibrant (because the tree is producing lots of anthocyanin).

Whereas, if the season is cloudy and overcast, the leaves look duller and not as bright (because it is not producing as much).

Do all trees lose their leaves in the autumn?

Although photoperiodism will affect almost all trees, not all trees lose their leaves in response to it.

Conifers are called evergreens because they do not shed their leaves in the autumn (although, larch does). Whereas deciduous trees almost always shed their leaves (although, holly and holly oak are exceptions).

Also, not all deciduous trees shed their leaves at the same time. Some trees, like ash, change colour and drop their leaves really early in the season. While others, such as oak, beech, sycamore and hornbeam take time to respond and hold on to their leaves for much, much longer.

Why are autumn trees different colours?

If you look around you in the autumn, you will notice a wide array of autumn shades. Some trees are red, some are yellow, some orange and others are brown.

While the colour of each tree is dependent on the ratio of its pigments, certain trees tend to turn certain colours.

For example, hornbeam and maple often turn red, while field maple and ash are usually yellow. Hawthorn often turns to orange and oak, with its tannins, turns a tan-brown colour.

Well, there we go!

So, what makes leaves change their colour in the autumn? It is all down to cooler weather, shorter daylight hours and pigments!

Once the autumn kicks in and the days get shorter, the trees cannot justify wasting energy to produce chlorophyll, because it cannot help the tree make energy in return. So, they stop making it, allowing all the other pigments present in the leaf to step into the dimming light and shine!

If you would love to learn more, you can have a look at this BBC documentary about why leaves change colour in the autumn. You can also learn how to preserve your leaves for autumn crafts in this nature craft tutorial.

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How to preserve autumn leaves in four easy ways.

how to preserve autumn leaves

Four Ways To Preserve Autumn Leaves

Hello! In this tutorial, we are going to learn about four easy ways to preserve autumn leaves ready for use in your nature crafts or nature journal. Are you ready? Lets get started! Here are your quick links:

Why preserve autumn leaves?

Who can resist swishing through a pile of autumn leaves? Scuffing and kicking them up with your feet? Stopping to pick up a beautiful leaf? There are so many things you can do with them ... press them in journals, weave them into wreathes; crown yourself queen of the forest ...
 

You can of course use them just as they are. But, it helps if they are supple - they are easier to work with or, if you have a bit more time to enjoy them before they disintegrate or break. One way of making them last longer and increasing their flexibility, is to preserve them. There are multiple ways to do this, some more complicated than others. In this tutorial, we will look at the four easiest ways to preserve autumn leaves:

How to press leaves

This method is the simplest and easiest way of preserving autumn (or any) leaves. You simply use a heavy weight and some kind of blotting paper to dry the leaves out.

Uses:

Leaves dried by pressing are useful for sticking into nature journals or creating pictures. They can also be arranged with pressed flowers to make a more interesting feature.

You will need:

  • Flat, thin leaves
  • Newspaper or other blotting paper
  • Heavy books or weights

Directions:

  1. Lay your leaves carefully on half a sheet of folded newspaper.
  2. Gently lay the other half of the newspaper on top of the leaves.
  3. Place the heavy books or other weights on top.
  4. Keep them somewhere cool and dry.
  5. Gently lift the top sheet and check up on your leaves once a week.
  6. If any are looking mouldy, make sure to remove them.
  7. Your leaves are ready when they are completely dry.

Tips:

  • To make the leaves softer, you can soak in them in a little diluted laundry conditioner first.
  • Alternatively, you can gently brush them with a thin layer of vaseline or oil.

How to preserve leaves with waxed paper

This method uses a blanket of waxed paper to enclose the leaves. Applying heat, then makes the wax melt and coat the leaves.

Uses:

Leaves dried by this method can be used for garlands, bunting and lanterns.

You will need:

  • Flat, thin leaves
  • Waxed paper
  • Hot iron
  • 2 cloth rags
  • Ironing board

Directions:

  1. Lay one of your rags on the ironing board.
  2. Lay a sheet of waxed paper, waxy side up, on top of the rag.
  3. Carefully places your leaves on top of the waxed paper.
  4. Gently place another waxed paper, waxy side down, on top of the leaves.
  5. Carefully place the second rag on top of this second sheet.
  6. Slowly and smoothly, run your hot iron over the cloth on top of the waxed paper/leaf sandwich.
  7. Next, gently press down and hold the iron over the cloth for a few seconds, before moving to the next area.
  8. Do this for the whole cloth/wax-leaf-sandwich area.
  9. Make sure the wax has al melted, then remove the iron and allow to cool.
  10. Once they are completely cool, you can carefully tease the paper off the waxed leaves, then cut the leaves out.

Tips:

  • Try and leave a margin around each leaf when cutting them out. This helps ensure they stay sealed.

How to preserve leaves in a microwave

This method uses a microwave oven to dry out and preserve your leaves. 

Uses:

Leaves dried in the microwave can be used in nature journals, book marks and for inserting in clay tiles.

You will need:

  • Fresh, pliable leaves. 
  • Paper towels
  • Paper
  • Ceramic coaster or flat, microwaveable plate
  • Microwave oven

Directions:

  1. Fold a piece of paper in half, then open it up
  2. Carefully lay your leaves in one half of the open paper
  3. Fold the paper in half, sandwiching the leaves inside it.
  4. Then sandwich the paper-leaf sandwich inside your paper towel.
  5. Place this bundle carefully in the microwave
  6. Gently place a ceramic toaster or flat plate on top of the bundle.
  7. Microwave on medium heat for 30 seconds, then check your leaves.
  8. Keep checking every 30 seconds.
  9. Your leaves are ready when they are nice and dry and no longer stick to the paper.

Tips:

  • Make sure you keep checking your leaves every 10-30 seconds - if they become too dry, they may scorch and burn.
  • Thinner leaves will dry much faster than thicker leaves. So, it may be useful to dry thick and thin leaves in separate batches.

How to preserve leaves in a glycerine bath

This method uses a mixture of water and glycerine to preserve your leaves.

Uses:

Leaves dried in a glycerine bath, maintain their soft, supple quality. They can be used in bunting, vase decorations, leaf crowns or other crafts.

You will need:

  • Fresh leaves or twiggy branches
  • Water
  • Glycerine
  • Container

Directions:

  1. Mix 1 part of glycerine to 2 parts of water
  2. Carefully submerge your leaves into this water-glycerine mix
  3. Place a heavy dish on top to help push the leaves under and keep them submerged
  4. Leave them in the solution and check on them every 2-3 days
  5. Your leaves are ready when they are soft, flexible and shiny.
  6. Take them out, and blot them dry on  some paper towels
  7. Voila! Your leaves are ready to use.

Tips:

  • You can also preserve whole branches with leaves attached too. Just crush the ends of the branches and place them in a vase containing the water-glycerine solution. Store it away from heat and sunlight. The branch is ready once little dew-like beads appear on the leaves. Take them out of the solution, blot them off and leave them to dry.

Other leaf preservation methods

Above, we have discussed four methods of preserving autumn leaves ready for use in your autumn leaf nature crafts. But, there are also several other methods you can use. Some of these include,

  • Dipping in melted wax
  • Coating in PVA glue
  • Laminating in plastic
  • Using nail varnish
  • Painting in glitter glue

Why not experiment and see which methods you prefer? If you want to identify the leaves you find, you can check out this post here.

Summary

Well... there we go! A quick introduction to four ways you can use to help you preserve autumn leaves ready for use in your nature crafts. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial? Let me know in the comments. Happy nature walking and see you soon!

P.S. If you enjoyed this tutorial, don't forget to subscribe by clicking the button below x

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