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Leaf Collection Project
adapted from a project by Cheryl Massengale
The percentage of forested land in Rhode Island has varied greatly over the past 400 years. It's been estimated that forests covered approximately 97% of Rhode Island in 1630; by 1907, that number had dropped to 20%. Currently, 57% of Rhode Island is forested; however, the pressures of development will cause that number to decrease significantly in the next 40 years. The purpose of this project is twofold: to gain an appreciation of the diversity of trees found in Rhode Island and to gain experience in identifying trees. Assignment: You are to create a leaf collection booklet containing leaves from 8 different trees. Your collection must contain at least 6 leaves from broadleaf trees. Two of your specimens may be from needle-leaf or scale-leaf trees.Materials needed:
Directions for making a leaf press:
1. Cut 3 squares of corrugated cardboard 15 inches by 15 inches in size (roughly 40 cm by 40 cm).
2. Cut 40 sheets of newspaper the same size as the cardboard.
3. Place one of the pieces of cardboard on a hard surface. Layer this with about 10 sheets of the newspaper. Next, arrange a few of your leaves on the newspaper. Be sure that the leaves do not overlap each other. Cover the leaves with an additional 10 pieces of newspaper and another piece of cardboard. Repeat with newspaper, another layer of leaves, the last 10 pieces of newspaper and the remaining piece of cardboard.
4. Use one, preferably two, stretch belts to bind the press together or use heavy books as weights.
5. Change the newspaper every 2 or 3 days.
OR
6. Directions for a much simpler leaf press can be found at: About.com
Collecting and pressing your leaves:
1. Always get permission before collecting leaves on someone else's property.
2. Collect at least two of each type of leaf in case one of the leaves tears. You will not receive full credit for torn or damaged leaves.
3. If your specimen is an example of a compound leaf, be sure to remove an entire leaf, not a leaflet, from the tree.
4. Leaves should remain in the press for 3 - 5 days depending on their thickness and moisture content. Remember to change the newspaper when needed.
Labeling and identifying your leaves:
1. Use index cards as labels.
2. Use only black ink to write labels. Do not cross out or white out mistakes on the labels; rewrite them. Labels must be neat and easy to read.
3. Each label must contain the following information:
Mounting your leaves:
1. Use pieces of sturdy paper to mount your leaves.
2. Each page must have only one type of leaf on it.
3. Arrange the leaf so there is room to glue the label at the bottom of the page. The leaf should look nice on the page.
4. Use a small amount of Elmer's glue to adhere the completed label. Center the label below the leaf.
5. Make a front cover for your collection. Include the following items on your cover:
6. Use ribbon, string, etc. to bind the pages together.
7. LET THE PAGES DRY COMPLETELY BEFORE ASSEMBLING THEM TOGETHER IN YOUR COLLECTION OR THE PAGES WILL STICK TOGETHER!!
Here's additional information to help with your project:
This PowerPoint will help identify your leaves' charactistics
About.com: Forestry has an easy-to-use interactive dichotomous key for leaf identification.
This site from Virginia Tech contains many pictures to help you identify your leaves.
Due date: October 6, 2008
Project Value: 200 points