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Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1

Use this Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 ready-to-teach lesson to help your class begin to explore the similarities and differences between different trees. Children will become familiar with the vocabulary used to describe trees, and are then given the opportunity to identify and sort trees into categories, either in the classroom using pictures, or on a walk of your local area!

 

This Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 Science lesson includes:

  • a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities
  • a slideshow for the teaching input
  • a range of printable resources for independent learning activities

This lesson is part of our Identifying Plants Science scheme for Year 1.

Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 Lesson Pack

£2.99

Scroll through the pictures for a preview of the lesson's resources:

Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 1
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 2
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 3
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 4
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 5
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 6
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 worksheet example 1
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 2
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 slideshow example 3
Deciduous and Evergreen Trees KS1 plan example 1
A photograph of a line of different trees

Deciduous and Evergreen Trees

What is the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees?

The difference between deciduous and evergreen trees is how they handle their leaves – deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn, while evergreen trees keep theirs all year round.

Facts about deciduous trees

  • Autumn Colours: Before shedding their leaves in autumn, deciduous trees often change color to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, which happens due to chemical changes in the leaves.

  • Leaf Shedding: Deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn to help them conserve water and energy during the cold winter months.

  • Seasonal Changes: In spring, deciduous trees grow new leaves, and these leaves are usually broad and flat, which helps them capture sunlight for photosynthesis.

  • Growth Cycle: These trees have a clear growth cycle tied to the seasons, with new leaves in the spring, full growth in summer, leaf change in autumn, and leafless branches in winter

Examples of deciduous trees:

Deciduous trees - oak, maple, birch

Facts about evergreen trees

  • Needle-like Leaves: The leaves of evergreen trees are typically narrow, long, and needle-like, which helps reduce water loss and survive in cold or dry conditions.

  • Slow Growth: Evergreen trees often grow more slowly than deciduous trees, but they can live for many years—some even for hundreds or thousands of years!

  • Cones for Reproduction: Most evergreen trees reproduce by producing cones, which contain seeds, rather than flowers like many other types of trees.

  • Photosynthesis in Winter: Evergreen trees can continue photosynthesis throughout the winter months, even when the ground is frozen and other trees have stopped growing.

Examples of evergreen trees:

Evergreen trees - pine, cedar, spruce

 

When should children learn about deciduous and evergreen trees?

The National Curriculum states that children in KS1 should learn about deciduous and evergreen trees in Year 1 as part of the 'Plants' strand. Children should:

  • identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.
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