Sprout & the Tree That Stayed Cool-Sprout & the Tree That Stayed Cool- Tree Transpiration Experiment For Kids
By: Tom Baal
It was one of those sizzling July mornings in Lancaster, the kind where the sidewalk feels like it’s trying to cook your sneakers.
Sprout tugged at the brim of his hat and looked up at his favorite elm tree in the park. “How do you stay so cool, big guy?” he asked, wiping sweat from his forehead. The tree didn’t answer, of course… but Sprout had a hunch.
That’s when Ms. Maple, his third-grade science teacher (and part-time tree whisperer, Sprout was sure of it), walked by carrying a watering can and a spray bottle.
“Trees have their own way of cooling down,” she said. “They sweat!”
Sprout’s eyes nearly popped out. “Wait, what? Trees SWEAT?”
“Well,” she smiled, “not exactly like us. But they do release water through tiny pores in their leaves. It’s called transpiration, and it helps them stay cool – kind of like their own built-in AC system.”
Sprout was amazed. He decided he had to test it out.
Let’s run a summer experiment!
Here’s what you’ll need:
✅ A leafy tree nearby
✅ A plastic sandwich bag
✅ A twist-tie or rubber band
✅ A notebook
What to do:
- Pick a sunny leaf on the tree (ask an adult before touching any tree).
- Wrap the plastic bag gently around the leaf and seal it.
- Wait a few hours and come back — do you see water droplets inside the bag?
- Write or draw what you see in your notebook!
That’s tree sweat — a.k.a. transpiration in action!
Did You Know?
How long does it take to see water inside the bag?
Most kids will see tiny water droplets after 2 to 4 hours on a sunny day, especially if the leaf is healthy and full. Just make sure the bag is sealed and the leaf is in the sun!
Why does water appear inside the bag?
The leaf is “sweating”! Trees release water vapor through tiny holes in their leaves. When you trap a leaf in a plastic bag, that vapor turns into real water drops—this is called transpiration.
Can I try this on any tree?
Yes, but it works best on green leafy trees in full sun. Try elm, sycamore, or even a fruit tree. Avoid dry or brown leaves—they might not have enough moisture to show results.
Tip Top Arborists
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