Can you tell the difference between pine and spruce? If you were walking through the boreal forest, would you be able to look up and tell which type of tree you’re standing under? This outdoor activity will help children and students learn to determine the difference between pines and spruces. Students will learn to identify conifer species native to Manitoba using a simple biological key.
Description
Students will learn to tell the difference between two types of coniferous trees: Pines and Spruces. Students will be encouraged to describe the differences and similarities between the needles, branches and cones of pine and spruce. Students will be introduced to the species of pines and spruces native to Manitoba and shown how to identify them.
SMART Outcomes
Students will achieve the following skills:
- Distinguish spruce cones from pine cones
- Distinguish spruce needles from pine needles
- Describe the morphology of long and short shoots in conifers
- Use a biological key to determine species