Main Activities Tree Spree Relay Race. Now that you've discussed what makes all trees the same, tell the students they're going to learn what makes trees species different by learning to identify a few common Wisconsin species. The first group of trees will be those that stay green all year. Make sure the students understand that evergreen trees are sometimes different from conifer trees. Evergreens do not lose their needles all at once, so they always look green.
Conifers are trees that bear cones.
Most conifers are evergreens, but tamarack and cypress are good examples of conifers that are not evergreen since they do lose all their needles at once. Introduce each of the evergreen species, one at a time, giving characteristics to help the students identify them. After reviewing each species, pass samples around for students to look at. Now ask the students what we call trees that lose all their leaves or needles at the same time in the fall. Go through the same process with the deciduous tree samples.