Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1
Teach your KS1 class all about deciduous and evergreen trees with clear facts, simple examples and ready-to-teach activities for Year 1 Science.
This page explains the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, gives child-friendly examples, and links to PlanBee’s complete KS1 lesson on identifying and sorting trees.
What are deciduous and evergreen trees?
Deciduous and evergreen trees are two different types of trees. The easiest way for KS1 children to understand the difference is by looking at what happens to the trees’ leaves during the year.
Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn and grow new ones in spring. Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round, although they still lose and replace old leaves gradually.
Deciduous trees KS1 facts
Deciduous trees change a lot through the seasons, which makes them a great focus for outdoor learning in KS1 Science.
- Deciduous trees usually have broad, flat leaves.
- The leaves often change colour in autumn.
- Deciduous trees lose their leaves before winter.
- New leaves grow again in spring.
- Common deciduous trees include oak, horse chestnut, beech, birch and sycamore.
Evergreen trees KS1 facts
Evergreen trees look green throughout the year, even in winter. Many evergreen trees have needle-like leaves, but not all of them do.
- Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round.
- Many evergreen trees have thin, waxy or needle-like leaves.
- Some evergreen trees grow cones.
- Evergreen trees can be useful for spotting plant changes in winter.
- Common evergreen trees include pine, holly, fir, spruce and yew.
How to teach deciduous and evergreen trees in KS1
When teaching deciduous and evergreen trees in KS1, children need plenty of opportunities to observe, compare and sort real examples. A local walk, school grounds activity or picture-sorting task can help children notice the key differences between trees.
Useful KS1 activities include:
- going on a tree hunt around the school grounds;
- collecting or photographing different leaves;
- sorting trees into deciduous and evergreen groups;
- matching leaves, cones, bark and tree pictures;
- drawing the same tree in different seasons;
- using simple scientific vocabulary to describe what children can see.
Ready-to-teach Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 lesson
PlanBee’s Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 lesson is part of the Year 1 Identifying Plants Science scheme of work. It helps children explore the similarities and differences between different trees, learn the correct vocabulary, and sort trees into deciduous and evergreen groups.
The lesson includes everything you need to teach the objective with confidence:
- a detailed lesson plan;
- a teaching slideshow;
- differentiated activities;
- printable worksheets and resources;
- practical ideas for classroom or outdoor learning.
When do children learn about deciduous and evergreen trees?
Children usually learn about deciduous and evergreen trees in Year 1 as part of the KS1 Science topic on plants. They learn to identify and name common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.
This topic also links well with seasonal changes, local area walks and simple observation work, making it ideal for practical science lessons in KS1.
Deciduous and evergreen trees examples for KS1
Examples of deciduous trees
- Oak
- Horse chestnut
- Beech
- Birch
- Sycamore
- Ash
Examples of evergreen trees
- Pine
- Holly
- Fir
- Spruce
- Yew
- Cedar
KS1 tree vocabulary
When teaching deciduous and evergreen trees, these words are useful for children to learn and use:
- Deciduous: a tree that loses its leaves in autumn.
- Evergreen: a tree that keeps its leaves all year round.
- Leaves: the parts of a plant or tree that usually grow from branches.
- Trunk: the main stem of a tree.
- Branches: the parts of a tree that grow out from the trunk.
- Cones: seed cases found on some evergreen trees.
More KS1 plants lessons
If you are teaching plants in Year 1, PlanBee’s Identifying Plants scheme includes six ready-to-teach lessons covering common plants, garden plants, wild plants, deciduous and evergreen trees, plant parts and plant life cycles.
You may also be interested in our full range of KS1 Science schemes of work.
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 FAQs
What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees?
Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn and grow new leaves in spring. Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year round.
What are examples of deciduous trees?
Examples of deciduous trees include oak, horse chestnut, beech, birch, sycamore and ash.
What are examples of evergreen trees?
Examples of evergreen trees include pine, holly, fir, spruce, yew and cedar.
Do children learn about deciduous and evergreen trees in Year 1?
Yes. Deciduous and evergreen trees are usually taught in Year 1 as part of the KS1 Science plants topic.
How can I teach deciduous and evergreen trees in KS1?
Children can learn about deciduous and evergreen trees by going on a tree hunt, comparing leaves, sorting tree pictures, observing seasonal changes and using simple scientific vocabulary to describe trees.
