Orange Tree Winter Colouring

The sweet orange is an evergreen citrus tree developed long ago in Asia from earlier citrus parents. It is now grown in warm subtropical and tropical regions around the world. Orchard trees are commonly kept about 3 to 8 metres tall so sunlight reaches the crown and fruit can be harvested, though some grow higher. With good care an orange tree may remain productive for 50 years or longer. Its shiny oval leaves stay green through winter. Fragrant white blossoms, often called orange blossom, attract pollinators. Round fruits take many months to mature, and in numerous regions the main harvest arrives in cool winter weather. A tree can occasionally carry both flowers and fruit because bloom timing varies in warm climates. Bees visit the flowers for nectar and pollen, helping fruit form. Bulbuls and other birds perch in citrus branches and hunt insects, while fallen fruit feeds small creatures. This page shows a friendly bulbul, a honey bee, ripe oranges, a few blossoms and a low winter sun. The evergreen crown reminds us that not every tree drops its leaves in cold months. Citrus branches may have thorns, so children should harvest only with an adult. Wash the peel before cutting, and do not eat unknown garden treatments or fallen spoiled fruit. Protecting bees and avoiding unnecessary sprays helps the whole orchard. Colour the oranges with yellow-orange, deep orange or a hint of green near the stems. Leave small white circles as shiny highlights. Use rich green for mature leaves and lighter yellow-green for new growth. The five-petaled flowers can remain white with golden centres, while buds may have a pale pink touch. Make the trunk warm grey-brown and use tan on the path. A bulbul can have brown or grey feathers, a darker head and a small bright patch under the tail, depending on the species. Give the bee soft yellow and brown bands. Use pale blue for a clear winter sky, yellow for the low sun and muted green for the distant citrus rows. Broad curved strokes suit the fruit, and short strokes following leaf veins will keep the crown lively. Your completed page can glow like a sunny winter morning, with the round fruit standing out clearly against the evergreen leaves.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

Download JPEGHigh-resolution A4 image Download PDFPrint-ready A4 file

Make it an activity

Choose a favourite colour palette
Add a simple background
Display the finished artwork

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