Outdoor Hour Challenge – Willow Tree Study

Outdoor Hour Challenge
Willow Trees

Inside Preparation Work:

• Read pages 651-655 (Lesson #179) in the Handbook of Nature Study. We have used this lesson before to study the twigs and catkins of the willow (see this challenge: Buds, Catkins, and Blossoms). During your summer study, focus on the tree shape and the leaves of the tree.
• Links to various willows you may have in your area: Weeping willow, Pussy willow, yellow willow, sandbar willow, or black willow.
• Note the instructions in this HNS lesson for rooting a twig of the willow tree. Here are some more detailed instructions for growing a willow twig: How to Grow Weeping Willows from Cuttings.
• No willows? Complete a summer tree study for any tree you found during your outdoor time.
• Advanced study: Learn about willow basketry: https://youtu.be/Pa50Ag_bv6w

Outdoor Hour Time:

• Before leaving the house, talk about where you might find a willow tree in your neighborhood. You might try at a pond or stream where the water loving willow can be found.  Collect a leaf to press for you nature journal page if possible. Create a nature journal for your willow tree using the page included in the ebook.
• Look for trees with the willow shape, noting how most trees have limbs that reach upward but the willow tree has limbs that bend towards the ground.

Follow-Up Activity:

• Create a willow nature journal by sketching the shape of the tree on your page. Add some detailed drawings of the leaf, the pussy (if present), the flower, and/or the catkins. There are two notebook pages in the ebook for you to use.
• Advanced study: Use this page USDA Willows to find two different willows to compare that are found in your local area. Use the accompanying notebook page to record your notes.
• Advanced study: Research the Willow Bio Mass Fuel Project.

If you want to purchase the Summer Nature Study Continues ebook so you can follow along with all the notebooking pages, coloring pages, and subject images, you can join the Ultimate or Journey Membership Levels. See the Join Us page for complete information. Also, you can view the Summer Nature Study Continues – New Ebook announcement page for more details.