Nature Walk Bingo: Lancaster’s Native Trees Edition

By: Tom Baal

Sprout zipped up his vest, laced his boots, and grabbed his favorite nature notebook. Today wasn’t just any day. It was bingo day. Not the kind you play in a noisy hall with cards and chips. This was Tree Bingo. And Sprout had one mission in mind: spot as many native trees in Lancaster, California as possible.

He stepped outside and took a deep breath of the warm desert air. The sun hung high, and the wind was already tossing the leaves around like it wanted in on the fun. Sprout grinned. “Perfect tree-spotting weather,” he whispered.

First up? The California Juniper. He knew this one by heart. Short, a little scruffy, and smelling faintly of sun and sage. He spotted it quickly near the park path, circled the square on his bingo sheet, and gave the tree a friendly wave.

“Thanks for showing up, buddy,” he said with a smile.

Next came the Valley Oak. Big and bold, its limbs stretched out like someone waking from a nap. Sprout reached out and ran a hand along the bark. It was rough, solid, and packed with stories. “I bet you’ve been here longer than my grandpa,” he said.

Then came the Desert Willow, blooming with pinkish flowers like a surprise celebration. Not far away stood a Joshua Tree, tall and twisted, like a cactus and an alien had joined forces to form a new kind of tree.

As Sprout continued down the trail, he kept checking off trees. Cottonwoods. Mesquites. Even a sneaky Honey Locust pretending it didn’t want attention. But Sprout saw it. He saw everything.

That was the best part of tree bingo. It wasn’t about shouting “bingo” or winning a prize. It was about seeing the world in a new way. About slowing down. About listening when the trees rustled their leaves like soft whispers or clapped gently in the breeze.

He stopped to sketch a Western Sycamore. Its bark peeled away in creamy swirls, like puzzle pieces shifting in place. He didn’t know exactly what it was trying to say, but he had a feeling it had something worth hearing.

Halfway down the trail, Sprout spotted a squirrel darting through the underbrush. Not on the bingo sheet, but he made a mental note anyway: “Tree neighbor. Fast. Great jumper.”

He shared his finds with fellow hikers when he could. “That’s a Fremont Cottonwood,” he told a man walking his dog. The man looked impressed. “How do you know that?” he asked.

Sprout shrugged with a grin. “Trees are kind of my thing.”

By the time he reached the last leg of the trail, his bingo card was almost full. Just one square left. Blue Elderberry. He scanned the edges of the path, eyes sharp. There it was -tiny blue berries like marbles tucked beneath leafy green arms.

“Bingo!” he laughed, raising his arms in triumph. The birds nearby chirped like they were in on the celebration.

Sprout sat down beneath a Cottonwood to rest. His boots were dusty, and his face was warm from the sun, but he felt like he’d just returned from an epic adventure. He had only wandered a few blocks from home, but it felt like he’d traveled through a forest of stories.

He closed his notebook and made a quiet wish. He hoped more kids in Lancaster would take a tree walk of their own. That they’d look closely at the shape of leaves, feel the textures of bark, and notice the quiet lean of a branch reaching for sunlight. That they’d start to see trees not as background but as neighbors, protectors, and friends.

Sprout didn’t need a prize for finishing his bingo card. He had already won something better. A day full of discovery and a backpack full of wonder.

And tomorrow? He’d make a brand-new bingo card. Maybe for bugs. Maybe for birds. Maybe just for leaves. Because every walk can be an adventure, if you know how to look.

Sprout Needs Your Help: Become a Tree Spotter Scout!

Hey nature explorers, it’s Sprout again!

Today’s tree bingo walk was amazing. I met so many leafy friends and filled my notebook with cool finds. Now it’s your turn!

Want to be a Tree Spotter Scout in your neighborhood? Here’s how:

Grab your favorite grown-up, a notebook or clipboard, and something to write with. Then take a slow walk around your park, street, or even your schoolyard. Look up, down, and all around. Can you find any trees like the ones I spotted today? Maybe a twisty Joshua Tree or a blooming Desert Willow?

Draw what you see, circle your finds, or even make your own bingo card. You don’t have to find every tree – just look, listen, and enjoy the adventure.

Bonus points if you teach someone else the name of a tree you find. That makes you a Certified Sprout Tree Expert (okay, not official official – but pretty cool, right?).

Every tree you spot is a high five to nature. Let’s keep exploring, one branch at a time.

You’ve got this, Tree Scout!

Remember: Every big tree starts with a little helper.

Did You Know?

Tip Top Arborists

Since 1976, Tip Top Arborists has been Southern California’s trusted partner in professional tree care. Based in Lancaster, CA, and surrounding areas—delivering expert tree trimming, removal, and maintenance services with safety, science, and integrity at the core.

We’re not your average “guys with chainsaws.” We’re ISA Certified Arborists with deep industry knowledge, modern equipment, and a commitment to customer care that’s been passed down for nearly five decades. From storm damage cleanup to long-term tree health management, our team helps property owners protect their investment—and enhance their curb appeal—year-round.

Experienced

We have been in the industry for over 45 years. Choosing us means choosing proven experience and expertise.

Insured

Your safety is our highest priority. We are bonded and insured to protect you, your property, and our team.

Licensed

Our contractor’s license #821770 is current and active with the CSLB. Hiring us means hiring licensed tree experts.

Recycling

We are as committed to the environment as we are to our clients. We recycle 100% of all wood and green waste.

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