Tips on identifying the native trees: It’s a fun learning experience for kids

There are at least 15 different native species of trees in Beaverton’s parks, and learning to identify them can be fun any time of year, but it is even more enjoyable when the leaves are turning color and drifting to the ground.

There are two main types of trees: those with leaves and those with needles. Trees with leaves include oak, maple, ash and many more. Trees with needles include pine, fir and spruce. Pine tree needles are bundled in groups, and this feature can help with identification. For example, White Pines have five needles in a bundle, while Ponderosa have three. Fir and spruce needles are not bundled.

Some trees keep their leaves year-round, while others lose them in the fall. It is always fun to find so many different colored leaves. The shape and size of a leaf can help with identification. Some leaves have lobes with smooth edges like the Oregon White Oak, while others have irregular edges like the Broadleaf Maple, and those leaves often look like a giant hand with five fingers. The Red Alder has oval leaves. Some trees like the Oregon Ash have compound leaves—meaning multiple leaves on one stem. Leaves are also interesting when looking at the veins. Some leaves have one large vein going the length of the leaf with smaller veins branching off of it, while others have all the veins branching from the stem.

When identifying trees, it is important to learn about its unique characteristics, especially the bark, which can be smooth, peeling, or deeply grooved. For example, Douglas Fir and Oregon White Oak have deep grooves or furrows. Also, Douglas Firs are one of the largest trees and is sometimes referred to as the Hilton of the forest, because those grooves provide resting and nesting places for many small critters, including insects, lizards, mice and even bats!

Remind children not to stick their fingers into those deep grooves. Red Cedar trees have a unique type of bark, which is smooth with almost hair-like qualities, and can be easily peeled from the tree. Native Americans used that bark fiber to make diapers. Please do not peel any bark from our lovely Beaverton trees and remind children not to call the Red Cedar the Diaper Tree. Of course, keeping children laughing also keeps them learning.

Trees produce seeds in a variety of shapes and sizes, which means that they are dispersed in different ways. Some are spread by the wind, like the maple with its “winged” seed. Other seeds can catch on the fur of a passing animal, or fall and bounce down a hill, like an acorn. Animals also transport seeds by chewing on pine and fir cones. Birds and squirrels are the biggest transporters of seeds.

Art can also help children learn about trees—by sketching or painting a picture of all the beautiful fall colors. Another art technique is bark rubbing: holding a piece of paper against the bark and lightly rubbing the side of a crayon up and down the paper. The bark’s texture will be revealed and provide a lovely piece of art.

Walking in our beautiful Beaverton parks, while enjoying the fall colors, can be a fun learning experience with children.

Nancy Neal Yeend is a local grandmother, a retired Realtor, and mediator/dispute management strategist. She enjoys going to parks, identifying birds and visiting memory care facilities with her Therapy Dog, Wolfie.