Friday, February 5, 2016

N Is for Nature Study ~ When the Neighbor's Tree Came for a Visit

Our nature study came to us this week. A very heavy rainstorm and high winds proved too much for the neighbor's tree. It fell into our yard, crushing the fence as it came. Thankfully, it missed the power lines and the house. The kids started to play in the tree before the rain even stopped.


The tree is enormous! Being a homeschool mom, I immediately saw the learning opportunities in this unexpected adventure. We set to work exploring/playing fort in the tree. We found that the tree had started to uproot from the saturated ground and then broke near the base. It was a violent break with many jagged tears.


The kids collected pine cones, bark and needles to help us determine what kind of conifer tree we had acquired. It turns out that it is a Norway Spruce. This tree has the potential to grow over 100 feet tall with a width of 40 feet. It can live to be over 100 years old. Upon measuring, our neighbor's tree was 60 feet tall and very wide as you can see in the picture with people standing in front of it (below).

Mostly, the kids just wanted to be in the tree. They really are enjoying it. The neighbor will be clearing it away and mending our fence in a few days. Until then, I am sure the children will delight in.




I am joining ~
Through the Calm and Through the Storm

Blessings, Dawn

4 comments:

  1. Great nature study ideas. Love it how you turned a tree falling into your yard into science. :)

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  2. That is one ginormous tree! I like how you turned something potentially very frustrating into something positive!

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  3. Wow, that is a sure not the surprise you want to see after a storm. I'm glad it missed everything vital and has been such a source of fun for the kids. I just can't imagine trees that big in someone's yard. Wow, again.

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  4. We've had storm Imogen over here the last day or so and have, so far lost one gate and three fence panels. I've not been out there today yet (it's still dark) to see the damage of last night. Great nature study though :)

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