Did you know a tree has a life cycle? 

We have created a colouring activity that illustrates the 8 natural stages in a trees life cycle: 

• 1. Seed - A seed is a protective coat with a plant embryo, the beginning of a new plant inside. Inside each seed is all the resources it needs to survive independently until it reaches a safe place to grow.
• 2. Germination - The germination of a seed happens when a seed is put in the ideal growing conditions for its plant type of temperature, water and oxygen. The protective coat will then absorb these and begin to grow.
• 3. Sprout - It becomes a sprout when the seed bursts open and sends a root down into the soil that will anchor it and feed it water and nutrients. Then it will push 1 or 2 seed leaves up into the air to feed from the sunlight, carbon dioxide and water.
• 4. Seedling - It becomes a seedling when it begins to grow its true leaves.
• 5. Sapling - It becomes a sapling when it reaches a height of about 1 metre or 3 feet, the trunk is still flexible, its bark feels smooth, and it cannot yet grow fruit, flowers or seeds.
• 6. Mature Tree - It becomes a mature tree when it can flower, produce fruit and be able to reproduce releasing seeds into the surrounding environment. Seeds have evolved into different sizes and shapes so they can be dispersed by wind, water or
  animals.
• 7. Snag - It becomes a snag when its life cycle ends and the dead tree remains upright to decompose naturally.
• 8. Log - When a part of a snag falls to the ground, it becomes known as a log. As a log rots it becomes an important habitat to the plants and animals around it.

Click the link to download this colouring activity from  Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads on our website.

Why not extend this colouring activity further and do a science experiment by planting some seeds and watching as they germinate and grow. Try some flower seeds, vegetable seeds, herb seeds, or tree seeds if you have room to plant them outside. 

Here are some ways you can begin growing seeds:

• Zip lock bag and no soil * This method allows you to view what happens below and above the soil from germination to sprout but can be harder if you want to plant out in your garden as roots are fragile. You need: A plastic zip lock bag, seeds, paper towel, water, sticky tape/tack and a window with sunlight and warmth. Directions: Dampen your paper towel (not dripping wet), fold it to a size that will fill 1/2 of the plastic zip lock bag so it touches the bottom of the bag and lays flat against one side. Evenly place 3 - 5 seeds about half way between the top and bottom of the paper towel and seal the zip lock bag leaving a small corner open for a little fresh air. Use sticky tape or tack to stick your zip lock bag to a window that gets lots of natural light but doesn’t get too hot. Check your seed packet for suggested germination times. Every day check the paper towel is still damp, if its dry then spray with water until damp again. Note: If you wish to continue growing your seeds then they will need to be potted into pots with a seed starting potting mix once they have sprouted their seed leaves but be careful not to break their fragile roots.
• Recycled cardboard egg carton & potting mix *This method allows you to pot the egg carton cups straight into a larger pot or the ground and continue to grow plant without disturbing the fragile roots, but you can only see what’s happening above the soil. You need:  A recycled cardboard egg carton (cup section), seeds, seed starting potting mix, water, a clear plastic bag big enough to fit egg carton in, a waterproof tray/plate to sit them on and a sunny spot. Directions: Using the cup section of the egg carton, begin by poking a few holes in the base of each cup for drainage, then fill each cup half way up with seed starting potting mix. Put 3 seeds into each cup (allowing a little space around each seed), its probable not all seeds will germinate. Check seed packet for suggested planting depth and cover the seeds with a layer of seed starting potting mix. Give seeds a gentle watering with a fine spray twice a day, you don’t want to soak the soil, just dampen it. In cooler climates pop your egg carton into a clear plastic bag to create a warm humid climate (perfect for seed germination) and sit it on your waterproof tray on a window sill for sunshine. For warmer climates you can skip the plastic bag and sit the egg carton directly on your waterproof tray on a window sill for sunshine. Your seedlings can be planted into the garden or repotted once they have 3 or 4 true leaves, and when the roots have filled the egg cup and soil (your seed packet should also suggest germination time). Planting out tip - sit your egg carton with seedlings outside for about a week so they can get used to the outside climate and toughen up before planting them into the garden or repotting them.

To download or print using the above link: 

* Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads (on our website) - click the “Planet Designs Kids Free Downloads” link and it will take you to the free downloads page on our website. Put in your email address and you’ll have free access to all of our free colouring activities. Click “Continue”, then on the page you want click “Download”, and it will then be saved in your downloads folder where you can print it.

We hope you enjoy this free educational resource.