Celebrate Arbor Day with this fun tree activity. Also, grab more ideas to study trees on my page Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study.
Arbor Day is celebrated every year on the last Friday in April. But what exactly is Arbor Day?
Arbor Day is a day of observance where people as groups or on their own are encouraged to plant trees.
Celebrating Arbor Day is the perfect time to work on a little tree study.
You can find an event, buy a tree to be planted, or donate to the Arbor Day Foundation.
You can cover trees in general or learn about a specific tree.
Washington DC Cherry Trees Facts
Today we are going to learn about and create a craft based on the flowering cherry trees.
For example, we’re going to create one like the beautiful ones you see lining the waterway in East Potomac Park Washington DC.
First, look at some facts about cherry trees.
- The peak bloom generally occurs around April 4th but does vary from year to year. Be sure you check the estimates here at the national cherry blossom festival before planning a trip to DC to see the blossoms.
- Originally there were 3,020 trees of 12 different varieties.
- In 1910 Japan presented the trees as a gift of friendship to the American people.
- There are approximately 3,800 cherry trees within the park.
- The Yoshino and Kwanzan are the most common types now in Washington DC.
- Most cherry trees tend to have a short lifespan, around 15-30 years. Black cherry trees, however, can live up to 250 years.
- It’s against the law to pick cherry blossoms in Washington DC, sorry no souvenirs.
- This year is the 104th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Then, here are a few facts about the history of cherry trees.
History of Cherry Trees
Additionally, it’s fun to learn about the history of how the cherry trees came to the U.S.
- In 1876, during the American Revolution Centennial Year, the area bordering the Potomac River, where the beautiful Japanese flowering cherry trees now stand, encompassed one of the least desirable locations in Washington, D.C. (See The Japanese Flowering Trees of Washington, D.C.)
- This area was a dreary swamp not far fromthe White House where weeds flourished and mosquitoes bred, causing many health problems.
- The cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan.
- Samurai warriors were fond of cherry blossoms. Moreover, look at my Medieval Japan Unit Study and Lapbook to learn more about the Samurai and Japan.
- Because of the short life of the cherry blossom Samurai warriors felt they embodied their duty to their master to die at a moment’s notice.
- The high regard in which the flowering cherry tree is held is reflected in all aspects of the culture, life, land literature of the Japanese people.
- Through the ages, the Japanese have equated the brief transient beauty of the cherry blossom with that of the human life:
- Yo no naka wa
Mikka minu ma ni
Sakura kana
(Life is short, like the three day
glory of the cherry hlossom.)
- Yo no naka wa
- Sakura means cherry blossom.
Listen to this beautiful Japanese folk song Cherry Blossoms.
Next, here are some ideas for hands-on fun.
Hands-on Tree Activities
If you want a few more fun hands-on ideas or even a few unit studies to pull together your own tree study, look at these below.
- Make an easy Tissue Paper Apple Tree Craft.
- Work on fine motor skills with this Yarn-Wrapped Blossoming Spring Tree
- Create a stunning Four Seasons Tree Painting
- Combine Nature Anatomy and plastic toy trees to study different types of trees, shapes, leaves, and more.
- Older children will love putting together a LEGO Bonsai or have them create the alternate build of a cherry tree to build fine motor skills, following directions, planning, and so much more.
- You can also use them as inspiration for drawing.
More Hands-on Activities for Learning About Cherry Trees
Add some of these fun hands-on activities for your younger kids when learning about trees or cherry trees.
Features a bonsai tree model with a rectangular pot and a slatted wood-effect stand, made of LEGO elements, designed for adults
Includes interchangeable pieces so you can style the artificial plant with classic green leaves or vibrant pink cherry blossom blooms,
8PCS Replica of Mini Tree Toy Set:pine, elm, juniper, topiary, petticoat, aspen, and 2 maples.Suitable for boys and girls over 6 years old,good for brain ability and imagination.
Carykon tree-shaped wooden blocks
Material: Made of environmentally friendly wood, no burrs, no peculiar smell, bright colors and can be assembled at will (warm reminder: this product is recommended for children over 5 years old)
Additionally, here are more tree activities for kids of all ages below.
More Tree Activities With Kids
Also, look at these other ways to incorporate more fun and learning about trees in your homeschool day.
Grab mty lapbook about historic trees and add to your tree unit study.
- Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
- Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study
- Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft
- Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
Now, let’s make this cherry tree activity.
How to Make a Toilet Roll Cherry Tree Activity
You will need:
- 2 toilet paper rolls
- Pink, white, and light green tissue paper
- Brown paint
- School glue
- Paintbrush
- Pencil with an eraser
- Scissors
Paint one empty toilet paper roll brown on the inside.
Then paint the other brown inside and outside of the roll. Allow them to dry completely.
While you are waiting for the trunk of the tree to dry make your flowers and leaves.
Tear up very small bits of pink and light green tissue paper about the size of an adult thumbprint.
Place the eraser end of a pencil on each little bit of tissue paper and twist.
Also, you could also just ball up each piece as well but I like the little texture and shape it makes twisting it.
Once your toilet paper rolls are dry cut strips about ¼” wide halfway down. Cutting some a little more and some a little less, these will become your branches.
Slide the cut roll into the uncut roll and secure it with glue. Hot glue will set faster.
Roll to curve each one down at slightly different levels.
Add dots of glue to the top and underside of each branch.
Press flowers and leaves into each dab of glue. Add more glue and flowers as needed to create a full tree.
You can repeat this technique with different colors of leaves and or flowers to create other types of trees as well.
