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A sycamore tree leaf is a wonder for size and when soaked in water makes a nice leathery surface for artwork.
When I was a child I learned the Zaccheaus in a sycamore tree song at Sunday school. I thought the sycamore was exclusively a Holy Land tree. How happy I was to find they are a common American tree! Sycamore trees--I have one in my back yard--a tall straight tree that has not had the space to spread out its limbs, but is nonetheless one of our favorite trees. The leaves are huge and the gray bark peels back on itself like birch bark, leaving a smooth white trunk. The tree makes great shade on my porch with its big leaves and the balls of seeds it produces are a curiosity, without the prickly spines of the Sweetgum balls. These leaves can be used as an art paper. Have the students pull the leaves with their stems in the fall and press them between paper, under heavy books or bricks. When the leaves are dry and flattened retreive them and soak them in water. They will become soft and pliable like leather and the students can paint on them with acrylic paints. After painting and drying repress if necessary and consider framing. These painted leaves make lovely gifts for teachers, friends or relatives. Add a few of these mega leaves to your pressed collection. For more leaf art ideas see my leaf art article. For help recognizing the sycamore tree try a field guide of North American trees or an online listing of American trees. Try this tree article by Renie Burghart with photographs of sycamore trees.
The copyright of the article Painting on Dried Leaves in Kids Activities is owned by Elece Hollis. Permission to republish Painting on Dried Leaves in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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