1. Create a 6 inch square grid made up of 1/8th inch circles, laid out 10 by 10. Photocopy the grid onto a transparency.

2. Locate lichen bearing trees and circle them with a tape at chest height. You might want to select only trees over 100 cm in diameter.

3. Mark North, South, East, West and place the transparency (North, then South, then East, West) so its lower edge touches the tape. Count the number of circles showing lichens. (You can also count moss and bare bark.) Advanced: Note the different kinds of lichens.

4. Note related variables such as light, humidity, wind direction, direction towards town, any known pollution.

5. Discuss with the class any differences they observe in tree sides and any differences they note in related variables.

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