Apple Tree Autumn Colouring

Domestic apple trees belong to the genus Malus and have ancient roots in Central Asia. Over thousands of years, people carried and selected apples across Europe and eventually around the world. Orchard trees are often pruned to stay about 2 to 5 metres tall, although an unpruned tree can grow larger. Many live for 50 years or more, and some old traditional trees survive well beyond a century. In spring, pink buds open into white or blush flowers. Bees transfer pollen between compatible apple varieties. Tiny fruits then grow through summer and usually ripen from late summer into autumn, depending on the variety and climate. The tree loses its leaves for winter and rests until spring. Apple trees create a small habitat. Robins and other birds perch among the branches, ladybugs hunt plant-eating aphids, and bees make fruit possible by visiting blossoms months before harvest. The scene shows the result of that busy year: ripe apples, a cheerful robin, a ladybug, fallen leaves and a basket. Windfall fruit can feed insects and mammals, but mouldy fruit should be left alone. Children should pick only with an adult, avoid climbing weak branches, wash fruit before eating and remember that apple seeds are not food. Farmers protect blossom, soil and pollinators to keep an orchard healthy. Choose red, green, yellow or striped combinations for the apples. You can make each variety different while leaving a small white shine on the round skin. Use several greens for the leaves and add gold, orange or russet edges to suggest early autumn. Colour the trunk and twisting branches with light brown, grey and warm tan. A robin may have a rusty orange breast, brown wings and a bright eye; the ladybug can be red or yellow with dark spots. Give the basket honey-brown bands and colour the distant orchard in pale greens so it does not compete with the main tree. Try blue for the sky and soft cream for the ground path. Work around one apple at a time, then use short strokes following the leaf veins. The finished harvest scene should look cheerful, crisp and full of autumn colour, with the large central apple tree easy for young colourists to explore.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.