Celebrate Trees

"I think that I'll shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest against the Earth's sweet flowing breast…." Thus begins the famous poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. Kilmer, known as both a poet and a soldier, saw his poem "Trees" first published in 1913. He died in 1918, killed in action during World War I.

There are not many poems out there that I can still recite from my school days. Somehow "Trees" remains one of the exceptions. Maybe it was because I never particularly cared for poetry while I was in school, and I therefore agreed with the author. I have never seen a poem as lovely as a tree either. To me the world of nature has always been much more fascinating than anything man has created.

Now with fall upon us, it is the perfect time to explore the loveliness that is a tree. The colors of the changing leaves of the deciduous trees are fascinating for both adults and children, and all parents know that kids adore collecting things. Combining the two interests, a leaf collection makes for a simple, educational, and interesting fall craft. The three basic supplies that are needed are: a large, heavy book for pressing the leaves, an inexpensive photo album with adhesive pages, and a book for leaf and tree identification. One informative, yet not overly complicated book for kids is the "National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Trees."

Go on a nature walk with your child and help him or her gather different types and colors of leaves. Talk with your child about the varying shapes of the leaves and try not to get too many that are from the same tree. You will want to take your tree or leaf identification book with you so that you can attempt to correctly name each variety. Be sure you and your child are able to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac. If you are wary of your knowledge of the three, then preview the website www.stalkingthewild. com/stw/leaves_of_three.html. This site contains pictures and advice on how to avoid the dreaded itch.

When you return home, place each leaf between the pages of the large heavy book in order to press the leaves flat. The leaves should be kept in the book for a few days so that no moisture remains in the leaves. This aids in preventing them from curling later.

Finally, you are ready to place the leaves in the photo album. Allow your child to make a title page or cover for his or her book. Then help your child sort the leaves to determine if any are actually from the same variety of tree. Try to identify and make labels for each type of leaf and then carefully place the leaves and labels on the adhesive photo pages. If you do not have a tree or leaf identification book, an additional option is to take your leaves to your computer and try out the website www.oplin.org/tree /index.html.

This leaf collection project is ongoing. You may find that every year your child wants to add more leaves to his or her book. The photo album keeps the collection neat, and your child will have a sense of pride because it is a book that he or she created. And personally, I would rather have my child collecting leaves than Yu-Gi-Oh cards any day!

Another simple leaf craft involves the fine art of ripping paper, no scissors required. You will need a few sheets of construction paper; red, orange, yellow, green, and brown; one larger sheet (11" by 18") of construction paper in black; and glue or glue stick. First rip a piece of the brown construction paper into a long and thin rectangle. This piece will be the trunk of the tree so glue it onto the center of your black construction paper.

Now it is really time to start ripping. With the other colors of construction paper, tear each sheet into small confetti-sized bits. When your child has plenty of bits, it is time to start gluing the pieces onto the black paper trying to build these leaf bits into the shape of a tree. Encourage the overlapping of pieces. The more bits your child adds, the more beautiful his or her tree becomes.

As Shel Silverstein so eloquently describes in his book, "The Giving Tree," trees provide us with beauty, shade, fruit, wood, and resting spots, never asking for anything in return. With your children this fall, celebrate trees.