How To: Craft a large paper apple tree

This is a perfect craft project for the classroom or to do with the family. Have fun designing your tree and use it as colorful decoration, help learn about trees, tell tails, or as a fun prop to make play theater really come alive.

Celebrate Johnny Appleseed or Arbor Day and all things apple by creating your own large paper apple tree.

You Will Need

* Brown and green butcher paper or poster board
* Red construction paper
* Scissors
* Glue
* Brown construction paper (optional)
* Crayons, markers, or paint (optional)
* Sponges or paintbrushes

Step 1: Outline your tree

Decide on the height and width of your tree, and whether or not it will have branches.

Step 2: Make the trunk

Trace the outline of a trunk and branches on large pieces of brown butcher paper or poster board. Then cut along the outline with a sharp pair of scissors.

For added texture, cut pieces of brown construction paper into four parts. Glue each part onto the butcher paper to make bark.

Step 3: Create the leaves

Sketch the outline of your greenery on a piece of green butcher paper or poster board. Then cut out the shapes and glue them to the branches.

Step 4: Make the apples

Trace apple shapes onto red construction paper. Then cut them out and glue them onto the tree's greenery.

Allow children to individually decorate apples with crayons, markers, or paint.

Step 5: Join the pieces

Glue the upper greenery and braches to the trunk. Then hang the entire tree onto a bulletin board, wall, or refrigerator door.

Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman