GSWP TREE PATCH FOR CADETTES

Introduction

Trees are an essential part of our environment, but are often taken for granted or ignored.  Trees provide such necessities as oxygen and shade.  There are many things that you can do in your community to help trees thrive and to keep your community looking great.  This interest patch will help you to help trees in your neighborhood and elsewhere.

Complete 6 activities including “Tree Map” and “Tree Planting”.

1. Tree Map

   Map out a small area in your neighborhood and using the form attached, complete a tree survey.  In order to identify the trees, you may want to use a tree guide or dichotomous key ( a key using a series of questions to identify a species).

2. Adopt a Tree

   Adopt a tree in your neighborhood.  Water it, mulch it, and care for it over a period of 2 months.  Then, write about your tree and present it to your troop.

3. Mulching

   Mulching is a good way to protect trees. Talk to a gardener, landscaper, or horticulturist about mulching.  Find out how it is done and how it benefits the plants.  Then, make some of your own mulch and spread it around a tree of yours.  Observe the tree over a 2 month period and see if the mulch made any difference to the tree.  Report your findings to your troop.

4. Leaf Prints

   Leaf prints are a fun way to decorate bags, clothing, or anything else that is plain.

   You  will need: 1. a bag or clean shirt or a piece of paper to put the leaf print on. 2) a rolling pin or artist’s roller. 3) assorted acrylic paints. 4) newspaper, a smock and pie plates for the paint.

   1.Lay the newspaper down on a flat surface and lay the item to be decorated on top.

   2. Place a small amount of paint in the pie pan. Use a different color in each plate.

   3. Take one leaf and gently press it into the paint, then place it  on the item to be decorated.  Gently roll over the leaf with the rolling pin or artist’s roller.

   4. Carefully lift the leaf off and throw it away. DO NOT reuse leaves unless you want to mix colors.

   5. Continue making prints as desired.  Carry or wear with pride when dry.

5. Gift Wrap

   Homemade gift wrap is a great way to use tree leaves to make a gift even more special.  In order to make gift wrap here is what you will need.  1. Newsprint, sumi, white butcher paper or colored kraft paper. 2. stamp pads. 3. tweezers 4. variety of small leaves 5. roller

   1. Using a stamp pad and tweezers, ink several leaves on one side only. Press each leaf on the stamp pad well enough to ensure that enough ink has adhered.
   2. Arrange the inked leaves on the wrapping paper as desired.
   3. Using the roller, gently roll over the leaves.
   4. Using the tweezer, carefully remove the leaves and discard them.
   5. Allow the paper to dry overnight and then use like normal wrapping paper.
6. Tree Pruning

   Talk to a landscaper, gardener, or horticulturist about pruning trees.  Find out how to correctly prune a tree so that the tree remains healthy.  Then, select a tree in your community to prune.  Be sure to ask the town for permission before you prune one of their trees. Then, using the skills you have learned, prune the tree.

7. Calendar

   A nature printed calendar is fun and easy to make.  You  will need: 1) sketch book brand calendar 2) ink pads (colors of your choice) 3) Leaves 4) roller 5) tweezers.

   1. Using a stamp pad and tweezers, ink several small leaves on one side only. Press each leaf onto the stamp pad well enough to ensure that enough ink has adhered.
   2. Arrange the inked leaves on the calendar and using the roller, gently roll over the leaves.
   3. Using the tweezer carefully remove the leaves and discard. Allow the paper to dry.
8. Tree Planting

   Call or visit your local nursery, horticultural society, arboretum or botanical garden.  Ask them about planting a tree and see if they can help you.   Ask them if they would be willing to donate a tree to your project.  Then, organize a group from your troop to help you plant the tree in a local park or area in need of a tree.  Be sure to consult with the town before planting a tree on town property.  After you plant the tree, do not ignore it. Be sure to water, mulch and give vertical support to your tree for at least 2 months.

Thank you for completing this patch.  I hope you learned a lot and had some fun!