• Scissors
• Paper
• Pencils
• Tree identification key
• Newspapers or fliers
• Leaves from trees
  

1. Collect leaves from a variety of trees, by cutting them from the tree using the scissors. Some leaves can be easily pulled from the tree. Only take one leaf from each tree, as to not cause too much damage to the tree. You may also collect leaves from the ground.
2. Place a few layers of the newspaper on a flat surface, to make padding for the rubbings.
3. Place the leaf on the newspaper.
4. Cover the leaf with a sheet of paper.
5. Rub the pencil, back and forth, over the leaf underneath the paper, until you get a solid image of the leaf.
6. Compare the rubbing with the identification key and determine the type of tree that the leaf came from. If your leaf does not match any of the pictures go to the library, or look on the internet, for other leaf pictures.

All plants have differences about them that we can use to separate them into categories. As well, we can use these differences to give them names.

Trees are actually plants. They seem quite different from the plant growing in the backyard or park, but nevertheless, they truly are plants. The obvious difference is that they have a ‘woody’ stem. Most other plants have a softer, weaker stem. Bushes and shrubs often have ‘woody’ stems as well. Botanists use these differences, or similarities, to determine which plant species are closely, or distantly, related.From these differences and similarities we are able to learn more about the diversity of life on Earth. We also gain a better understanding of how plants live and manage to survive in areas where other plants would not be able to survive. One major difference among plants is their leaves.

Leaves are divided into two main groups; simple and compound. A simple leaf usually has one blade, a stalk and a bud at the base of the stalk. A compound leaf has two or more leaflets and a bud at the base of a single stalk. Beyond this there are a great number of possible differences. Tree leaves are quite distinct from one species to another. They may be simple or compound. However, the leaf, or leaflets, can be incredibly different. These differences will help you identify the tree from which the leaf came.

Trees are our breathing companions. They absorb carbon dioxide, which we produce, and transform it into oxygen that we require for living.

Trees also prevent flooding, by acting as reservoirs and spreading water more evenly. They also prevent erosion and runoff. Furthermore, leaves found on the ground create a barrier that retains moisture and prevents harmful chemicals from leaching out into lakes and streams.

Trees also make neighbourhoods a more beautiful place!