How to Start a Backyard Tree Journal with Your Family
By: Tom Baal
One sunny Saturday morning, Sprout stood in his backyard with a pencil behind his ear, a notebook in his hand, and a big idea taking root.
“Trees are changing all the time,” he said. “We just forget to notice.”
That’s when he decided to start a tree journal. Not just any journal. This one would track every little change, every curious critter, and every tree tale happening right in his own backyard.
He named it The Great Tree Watch and invited his family to join.
First things first: they picked a favorite tree. It was an old mesquite. Twisty, shady, and full of mystery.
“This one’s perfect,” said Sprout’s little sister. “It’s got personality.”
They named it Barkley.
Sprout opened his notebook to the first page and wrote:
Day 1: Barkley looks calm. A little dusty. Wind: medium. No squirrels spotted… yet.
His sister added a sketch of Barkley with big googly eyes and a bird’s nest on top.
From then on, they added something new each day. A leaf drawing. A weather note. A list of colors.
“Tree journaling is just like being a nature detective,” Sprout said. “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to pay attention.”
Before long, their journal was full of curious entries like:
- Spotted ants climbing the bark. Where were they going?
- Leaves turning yellow on one side. Maybe thirsty?
- One new branch?! When did that happen?
- A blue jay stopped by. Very bossy.
The best part? Everyone got to contribute.
Dad wrote about trimming tips.
Mom kept track of rainfall.
Sprout’s sister penned a poem called “Ode to Barkley.”
Even the family dog left a muddy paw print on one page.
“That counts,” said Sprout. “He’s part of the ecosystem.”
Some days they measured Barkley’s height using a homemade stick chart. Other days, they just sat in the shade and listened.
“Journaling isn’t just writing,” Sprout said. “It’s about noticing.”
Sprout even brought his notebook to school and shared Barkley’s updates with his class. His teacher was so impressed, she suggested everyone start a backyard tree journal.
Soon, kids all over Lancaster were out in their yards sketching sycamores, counting pinecones, and wondering what their own trees had to say.
Sprout felt like a tree ambassador.
“You don’t need a forest,” he told his classmates. “Even one tree can tell you a hundred stories.”
When it rained, the journal got a little damp.
When it was windy, pages flapped like bird wings.
But Sprout didn’t mind.
“That’s part of the adventure,” he said. “It’s a living record of a living thing.”
After a few weeks, they flipped through the pages and were amazed. Barkley had changed a lot. But so had they.
They looked up more. Asked more questions. Noticed more of the world around them.
And that’s the secret. A tree journal isn’t just about trees.
It’s about how you change, too.
How you start to slow down, pay attention, and care a little more each day.
Sprout made one last entry for the month:
Today I realized Barkley isn’t just a tree. He’s our friend.
Then he closed the notebook, gave Barkley a gentle pat, and said,
“See you tomorrow.”
Because there’s always more to see, more to learn, and more to love. One page at a time.
Sprout Needs Your Help: Start Your Own Tree Journal!
Hey explorers, it’s Sprout!
Want to know one of my favorite ways to get closer to nature? Start your own Tree Journal! It’s easy, fun, and full of surprises.
Here’s how to begin:
Pick a tree in your yard, school, or local park.
Give it a name (ours is Barkley!).
Grab a notebook, sketchbook, or even a few pieces of paper.
Every day or week, write or draw something new. Leaves, animals, weather, changes—anything you notice!
You don’t have to be an artist or a scientist. Just be curious. Add poems, doodles, measurements, or even funny stories.
Tree journaling helps you slow down and see things you might miss. And when you look back at your pages, you’ll see how much your tree (and you) have grown.
Let your tree tell you a story—and be sure to listen with your eyes, ears, and heart.
You’re a real Tree Watcher now!
Did You Know?
- Tree journals help boost memory, sharpen observation skills, and even improve writing in young learners.
- Different trees grow and change at their own pace. Some shoot up quickly, others stay steady for years.Bark texture gives clues about a tree’s age and health.
- Leaves breathe through tiny holes called stomata. Journaling helps spot patterns in how they change.
- Even city trees host birds, bugs, fungi, and thousands of tiny life forms you might never notice without looking closely.
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