How Trees Change Through the Seasons
Summer is a very busy time for trees. The bright sun shines down on the green leaves all day. The leaves act like tiny kitchens that make sweet food for the whole tree. They use sunlight, water from the soil, and fresh air to make this food. The green color in the leaves helps them catch the warm sunlight. During the summer, trees drink plenty of water to grow tall and strong.
When fall arrives, the days get shorter and the air turns cool. There is less sunlight for the tree to use to make food. The green color starts to fade away from the leaves. Soon, beautiful red, yellow, and orange colors appear on the branches! The tree gets ready for the cold weather ahead. The colorful leaves fall to the ground so the tree can save its water.
Winter brings freezing wind, ice, and soft snow. A tree looks bare and quiet without its leafy coat. Inside the trunk, the tree is resting in a deep sleep. It stops growing so it can save all of its energy. Thick bark protects the tree from the biting frost and chilly air. Deep under the snow, the roots stay safe and cozy in the dirt.
- soil:
- The top layer of dirt where plants and trees grow.
- fade:
- To slowly lose color or brightness.
- bare:
- Not covered; empty of leaves.
- bark:
- The tough outer covering on the trunk of a tree.
- buds:
- Small bumps on plant stems that open into leaves or flowers.
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- 1What do tree leaves act like during the summer?
- 2What three things do leaves use to make food for the tree?
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About this explanatory article passage for 2nd Grade
âHow Trees Change Through the Seasonsâ is a explanatory article reading passage about Trees Through the Seasons, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (255 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.