The World Around Us

Here we are, a new spring has sprung. The natural world has come out of its winter slumber and is expanding all around. Yet for many of us our world has become smaller and more constrained. We are forced to move inward and to limit our physical interactions as we struggle to understand a new threat. We do this to serve the greater good of our species, our community and our world.

This experience of being restricted in movement is new and challenging for many of us. Accepting this change can be frustrating and feel like a loss. On the other hand accepting this new set of circumstances holds unforeseen opportunities for learning and connection. As a father and an arborist, I look to nature as a teacher, especially to trees. When I was a young child, trees were my steady companions. They listened when I needed someone to talk to, their sturdy branches and thick foliage a safe haven that offered escape from an often confusing world. Trees offered me a steady friendship that has endured throughout my life.

Today my two children are out of school and they will be for at least the next few weeks. I am not a professional school teacher and do not possess the gift of patience the job requires. I do however feel called, like many of us, to help my children learn and interact with the natural world during these times.

Spring presents us with wonderful opportunities for learning. There is so much growth and expansion occurring in the world of plants. I'd like to share a couple ideas that you can pursue as a way to learn about the trees and plants in your yard. You may discover some new things for yourself along the way.

Tree and Plant ID: A great way to interact with trees is to first identify them. Learn what trees are growing on your property or in your neighborhood. The following are a couple of websites that can help you get started on your ID skills. Arbor Day: arborday.org/trees/whattree/, Colorado State Forest Service: https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/ .

Once you identify the trees you can make a map of them on paper or save them on a google map of your property with photos attached. In addition to the scientific name, my kids like to give proper names to the trees on our property. Our Austrian Pine is named "TeeTa" and our Heritage Oak is named "Raspberry"

Natural History: For each tree or plant you identify you can help your child to research the common attributes of the tree. What is the native habitat? How tall do they grow? What animals and insects feed on them and what do they add to our ecosystem? Do they bear fruit? What do their seeds look like? Most trees have unique attributes that make them interesting.

Anatomy and Illustration: The parts of each tree serve a function, and when observed closely, are unique. This time of year buds are opening and some leaves have started to emerge. Upon close inspection, each of these buds is covered in scales. Spending time to closely observe and draw the different parts of plants is a great way to connect with them and to get to know them better. Each time you draw a bud or a flower you will notice something new.

Measuring the Growth: As buds, leaves and flowers are opening trees begin to expand through primary growth. This rapid expansion of cells occurs in a meristem at the base of the bud called a node. Using a piece of paper or a camera you can take multiple measurements over the weeks and record the amount of growth as it occurs this spring. What differences in growth do you observe in the different parts of the tree? How about the north side compared to south, or lower versus upper canopy?

Digging in the Dirt: The base of every tree has an area called the root crown or root flare. Often, this is a place that is covered in dirt or other debris. Gently digging at the base of trees to expose the root flare is a helpful way to discover how trees transition from the stem to the roots. You might find something unexpected like a girdling root that is choking the tree or even an insect larvae that is feeding on the tree.

Regardless of whether you try these activities,remember that there is an abundant world of life around us just waiting for us to slow down. All we have to do is stop for a moment and engage.

Josh Morin is a Niwot resident and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with over 20 years of experience working with trees. He has a new, Niwot-based company, "We Love Trees Inc.," and can be reached for any questions about trees at 720-385-7075 or "[email protected]".