What are the most obvious things you find in parks and forests?  Trees of course.  We all know how important trees are for the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen, but that is something you can't see directly.  Pathfinders will enjoy the trees for their looks and for the homes they provide for wildlife.  Nothing is wrong with that. But their enjoyment in the woods can be tremendously enhanced if they can identify the many species of trees that grow there.  Obviously it will be nice if they can quickly learn how to identify poison ivy too; that will save a lot scratching and a trip to the doctor.There is a sort of sporting element in it if you learn how to identify trees. The identification process is a step-by-step procedure of elimination in a very logical way till you end up with the species in question.  To help teach the Pathfinders to identify the trees make sure that you have a good tree identification book.

Here are several links that have ideas to help teach the Pathfinders about trees.

• Making a Tree Leaf Collection
• The National Arbor Day Foundation
• Kids for Trees - Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Dr. Arbor Talks Trees - there is a Teacher's Guide
• Yahooligans - Trees (may have to do a search on trees)
• Real Trees 4 Kids! - The story and science of real tree farming
  

Before leaves are prepared for the collection they need to undergo a final drying and preserving process which can take up to six weeks.  The best way to do this is by using a leaf press.  The press not only preserves much of the leaf's color and shape, it also reduces moisture to a point where mold and spoilage is minimized.

Students given an assignment to make a leaf collection generally don't have weeks to prepare a collection.  However, you must dedicate at least three to five days of "press" time for each leaf depending on its size and moisture content.  Leaf exhibits become more attractive as the length of pressing time is extended.

Although it may be best to use a real leaf press for best results, there is a 'low cost' method used to press leaves.  This method requires no special equipment and is outlined below.  The method does demand a lot of space, a flat surface and a tolerant family.

• Select a flat area on the floor, desk, or tabletop in a room with good air circulation.
• Place wax paper or foil on the surface you choose.  This is for protection of both the leaves and the surface.
• Prepare necessary sheets of unfolded newspaper adequate for the number of leaves you have collected.  You want several paper thicknesses per layer between each pressing.
• Place the fresh leaf specimen(s) to be presses on the first sheet layers.  Be careful not to let leaves overlap or wrinkle by overcrowding.  Then simply use additional layers of paper between more pressings.
• Cover the top and final layer of newspaper with stiff cardboard or plywood, which has been cut to the same size as the paper.
• Place sufficient weight (books, bricks, etc.) on top of the plywood/cardboard to press leaves flat and hold them in position.