4|5|25 - Become a Junior Arborist: Learning About Trees!

Hello, young nature lover! Have you ever climbed a tree, jumped in a pile of leaves, or sat in the shade of a big, leafy branch? Then guess what? You already love trees! But have you ever wondered what kind of tree it was, how old it might be, or why it’s so important? If so, you’re ready to become a Junior Arborist—a scientist who studies and takes care of trees!

Get ready to explore the tall, leafy world of trees and discover why they’re some of Earth’s greatest heroes!

What Is an Arborist?

An arborist is a tree expert! Arborists take care of trees in parks, forests, yards, and even along city streets. They help trees stay healthy, figure out why a tree might be sick, and even help plant new baby trees!

As a Junior Arborist, your mission is to:

• Learn the parts of a tree
  
  

• Identify different kinds of trees
  
  

• Help take care of trees near your home or school
  
  

Parts of a Tree (And Why They Matter!)

Let’s break it down! Every tree has important parts that work together to help it grow big and strong:

Roots – These grow underground and drink up water and nutrients from the soil.

Trunk – This is the thick, strong middle that holds the tree up and moves water from the roots to the leaves.

Branches – They grow out from the trunk and hold up the leaves.

Leaves – These are the tree’s food factories! They use sunlight, water, and air to make energy for the tree. (This is called photosynthesis—a super cool science word!)

Flowers, Seeds, and Fruit – Some trees grow beautiful flowers or fruit that hold seeds for new trees to grow.

How to Tell Trees Apart

Not all trees are the same! Some have needles instead of leaves, some grow tall and skinny, and some change colors in the fall. Here’s how to tell them apart:

Leaf shape – Is it round, pointy, or shaped like a hand?

Bark – Is the bark smooth, bumpy, or peeling?

Size – Some trees stay short, while others grow super tall!

Seeds – Look for acorns, pinecones, or helicopter seeds on the ground!

Try starting a tree journal to draw the trees you find and learn their names. A tree identification book or app can help too!

Fun Tree Activities for Junior Arborists

Want to explore the world of trees? Try these fun ideas:

Tree Hunt – Visit a park and see how many different trees you can spot!

Leaf Rubbing Art – Put a leaf under paper and rub a crayon over it to make a cool print.

Plant a Tree – Help your family or school plant a tree and watch it grow over the years.

Measure a Tree – Hug the trunk to see how big it is, or use a string to measure its height!

Create a Tree Story – Imagine you’re a tree—what do you see every season? Who visits you?

Why Trees Are Important

Trees aren’t just pretty—they’re super important for our planet!

• They give us oxygen to breathe.

• They provide homes for birds, squirrels, and bugs.

• They give shade on hot days.

• They help keep soil from washing away.

• They grow food like apples, nuts, and more!

Trees are like Earth’s superheroes—quietly doing amazing things every day!

Fun Tree Facts!

✅ There are over 60,000 different species of trees in the world! That’s right—more than sixty thousand!

✅ You’ll find trees in rainforests, deserts, mountains, cities, and as you probably already know, in your own backyard!

✅  The country with the most different types of trees is Brazil, home to the Amazon Rainforest, which is packed with amazing tree species!

✅ You can estimate the approximate age of a tree in two different ways!

1️⃣ Count the Rings (if the tree is cut or fallen)

Inside every tree trunk are rings, like circles in a bullseye. Each ring shows one year of growth, so you can count the rings to find out how old the tree is!

• Light rings grow in the spring and early summer when the tree grows fast.
    

• Dark rings grow in late summer and fall when the tree grows slowly.

Each pair of light + dark = one year. So if you see 20 rings, the tree is about 20 years old!

This is called "dendrochronology"—a big word that means tree-ring dating!

2️⃣ Estimate with a Measuring Tape (for living trees)

You don’t need to cut down a tree to guess its age! You can measure the trunk’s size and use an estimate.

Here’s how to try it:

• Wrap a tape measure around the trunk at chest height (about 4.5 feet above the ground). This gives you the circumference (how wide around the tree is). Then you can estimate the age using a formula: Tree Age ≈ Circumference (in inches) ÷ Growth Factor

• Each type of tree has a different growth factor. For example:

Oak = 5
Pine = 3
Maple = 4.5

So if your oak tree has a 50-inch trunk: 50 ÷ 5 = 10 years old (approximately!)

Are You Ready to Be a Tree Hero?

Becoming a Junior Arborist is about more than just knowing tree names—it's about caring for the world around you. Whether you’re planting trees, learning their names, or simply playing under their branches, every little bit helps!

So grab your journal, head outside, and start your tree adventure today! The trees are waiting to meet you!

Happy tree exploring, Junior Arborist!