During the month of April, GBLC is holding a Tree Seed Photo Challenge! Each week we will post a photo of a seed and ask you to identify it. When you submit your guess- even if it's right or wrong!- you will be entered into a raffle prize drawing and the winners will be randomly chosen on Arbor Day. For more information about how the challenge works or the prizes, check out our blog post.
Which tree made this seed?
HINT: Each tree has a distinctive flower, the shape of this tree's flower gives us a clue to its name.
This week's tree was...
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Tuliptree is easy to remember for its showy flowers resembling tulips or lilies, and for its star-shaped leaves with rounded bases and square-lobed tops. It is the largest member of the magnolia family in New England and one of the tallest hardwoods in eastern North America, with a straight trunk reaching up to 200 feet (65m) in height. It produces yellow-green flowers in spring which are easily missed because they are often up to 50 feet or higher in the tree canopy. The leaves are waxy and smooth, and dependably turn bright gold in fall. Learn more about the Tuliptree at Native Plant Trust's Go Botany project and at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
This coming Monday we will post our final tree seed photo. It will be your last chance to enter the raffle prize drawing and, as always, both children and adults are encouraged to join in! Winners will be randomly chosen on Arbor Day (Friday, April 24th). For more information about how the challenge works or about the prizes, check out the blog post on our website.
Do you need gardening tools or seeds? Ward's Nursery has you covered— and they have curb-side pickup or delivery! Ward’s is now offering free tree seedlings to youth in celebration of Earth and Arbor Day. Plant a Canadian Hemlock and you will help the environment in your own back yard. Follow the link here for more details.
Looking for more at-home nature activities? Check out our list below:
At-home activities for the whole family
Veggiezilla online game from PBS Kids
Free coloring pages for kids and adults from Taproot Magazine
Gardening Activities from Mom Junction
The Nature Conservancy's Nature Lab (Grades K-12)
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