What makes a tree 'great'? To some, a great tree is one with historical significance associated with an event or time period, such as the days when Fort Worth, Texas was an army outpost on the frontier and people gathered at the famous Trader's Oak. Others are judged 'great' and given a champion status based on their size or their age. To many of us, a tree is 'great' because of the magic it created in our childhood as it shaped special memories. As we grow older, trees become our friends, shading us from the unrelenting sun or luring us with their beauty.
The Great Tree Story Essay Contest is designed for the Fort Worth ISD's third grade students studying living systems. The focus of the contest is to identify and celebrate trees that are significant to an individual or community while integrating science, social studies, and language arts third grade curriculum. Read more about the essay contest.
Read the 2009 winning essays:
Grand Prize essay: The Hugging Tree by Jacob R. Coffey
First Prize essays: My Special Plum Tree by Roman Julian Mejia
First Prize essays: My Family Tree by Daniel Barnes
Honorable Mentions: Family Tree by Genaro Melendez
Honorable Mentions: The Best Apple Tree by Cedrina J. Landrum
Honorable Mentions: The Lakehouse Tree by Alexandra C. Bruhn
Honorable Mentions: Gran and Grandads Tree by Luke Lashley Taylor
The Great Tree Ring is an alliance of individuals and organizations who care about trees and are devoted to the development of scientific and environmental literacy in our society. Learn More
