polka dot trees leaf experiment
Back in early August we put stickers on our trees’ green leaves to see if they would by effected by the lack of sunlight. We kept checking to see if a change was taking place and had no luck, UNTIL the leaves started changing colors.
We were so excited to find polka dot leaves last week! Next summer we will try darker stickers instead of white to see if we can get a change when the leaves are green.
How to do it:
1. Wipe a fresh green leaf clean, it must remain on the tree for this to work.
2. Place a dark sticker or tape aluminum foil onto the leaf. If you use foil, cut it into fun shapes….maybe even spell out your name or make a neat pattern.
3. Check your design weekly to see if a change has happened. Be careful pulling the stickers from the leaf, some will be too sticky and rip the leaf, so do a lot.
4. Try this on many types of trees and leaves. Be sure to keep some on the trees until the Autumn color change; I love the look we had this year.
5. Press the leaf to preserve it.
For an explanation on why the Autumn deciduous trees change color and more science experiments with Autumn leaves visit Science Made Simple.
I am so glad you showed this. I would never have thought to try such an experiment, and I love it.
I’ve done the leaf thing with the photo sensitive paper, but never thought of doing this. Will have to let Sister S know about it too. Love how you caught the daddy long leg in the second picture as it made it more outdoorsy.
xxoo
what a terrific idea!
That’s so cool, Lisa!!
This is amazing. After reading this, my kids are begging for us to do it. We will have to wit until next year though, there are no more leaves left!
How fun! Polka dot leaves!
Wow! What a great idea. I love the results. And, that red leaf is probably the most brilliant red leaf I’ve ever seen. Just beautiful. Fun idea!
What a fun project! You are full of so many great ideas! I hope you had a nice weekend!
Love, Sara
This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I am impressed that the stickers stayed on so long, too!
very cool.
And we finally found some poke-berries just yesterday! I was super excited after finding many look alike berries with no colors.
That is absolutely fascinating!
I tried to find the acorn jewelry posting but the link lead me nowhere. I would love to see it. I have to come up with a nature craft for a Halloween party this week. Thanks! Beth
That’s brilliant!! The owlets will love that one come autumn
What a great idea! Will keep this in mind for next august!
Cheers, BINE
neat experiment!
Very cool idea!
Wow, that is pretty interesting. I never would have expected the colors to change so radically in the uncovered areas versus the covered ones! It is similar to a photosynthesis experiment we did with photo-sensitive paper.
very cool experiment!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
Very neat!!! Our leaves haven’t started to change yet, so that’s a great idea!
That is pretty cool. The kids will enjoy trying that next year. Thanks.
So cool! I’ll have to play around with that next year!
Nifty! Are you sure you guys can’t move next-door to us instead?????
That’s very cool! We’ll have to try that next year!
Well, isn’t this nifty? Sometimes the simplest experiments yield the coolest results. I’m off to check out the link you’ve provided. Thanks!
What a great idea! Can’t wait to check out that site.
Thanks
Lisa
This is the coolest thing ever! Great job : )
Wow ow fun! Thanks for the fun idea!
That is a pretty awesome idea!