Magic® Tree

Demonstration Kit

Introduction

Magic Tree is a miniature artificial tree that grows forming ornamental “buds” in as little as 15 minutes and “magically” grows into a delicate tree in about two hours.

Concepts

  • Crystal growth
  • Capillary action
  • Solubility

Experiment Overview

The Magic Tree consists of two pieces of blotter paper, cut to be assembled as a small evergreen tree, with spots of color on the ends of the branch tips. The tree is placed in a solution made by mixing a small packet of blue powder with one teaspoon of water. Over a period of time, small crystals will grow on the ends of the branches. After approximately two hours, the ends of the branches contain clusters of crystals. After all the solution is used up the tree will dry, if protected, can last for months.

Materials

Blotter paper, 2
Packet of Magic Powder
Plastic dish, to grow tree

Safety Precautions

The materials used in this lab are considered nonhazardous. The Magic Powder is considered nontoxic. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the powder from the Magic Tree. Please follow all standard laboratory safety guidelines.

Procedure

  1. Open the wrapper and remove the Magic Tree blotting paper and packet of powder.
  2. Examine the Magic Tree and the powder. What color are they?
  3. Follow the directions on the inside of the Magic Tree box. In step 2, add one teaspoon of warm water. Note the date and time at which you placed the tree in the liquid.
Observations
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Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)†

Science & Engineering Practices

Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Obtaining, evaluation, and communicating information

Disciplinary Core Ideas

MS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
MS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions
MS-PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
MS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
HS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
HS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions
HS-PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
HS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and effect
Systems and system models
Structure and function
Stability and change
Energy and matter

Performance Expectations

MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-PS1-6: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes.
MS-PS3-2: Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.
MS-PS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.

Discussion

The tree is composed of a white or green colored blotter paper with red, green and blue colored tips on the branches. The colors are dyes consisting mainly of commonly available food colors. The tree was placed in a small amount of growing solution made from the accompanying powder and consisting of an alkaline salt, an ammonium salt and water. In operation, the solution moves up the tree (blotting paper) through capillary action.

During the growth of the Magic Tree, it is commonly observed that the “buds,” or initial crystals, usually form on the second from bottom branches first rather than the bottom branches. This is believed to be due to increased humidity close to the growing solution which would slow the rate of solution evaporation from the branch tips.

There are several factors that will affect the rate of crystal growth on the Magic Tree including air drafts on the branches. The side of the “tree” facing the incoming air will experience a greater rate of evaporation, similar to the effect where water in a puddle will evaporate faster on a windy day. Sunlight will also affect the growth since the heat from the sun, which may be imperceptible to an observer, will cause a rapid rate of evaporation on the side of the “tree” receiving the most light.

The magic tree can be reused. If the crystals fall off the finished Magic Tree, the experiment can be repeater by dissolving the crystals in a teaspoon of water and placing the tree in solution. The crystals will re-grow on the tree.

References

Special thanks to David A. Katz, retired, Wilmington, DE, who provided us with the instructions for this activity.

Recommended Products

Item No. Description
AP1929 Magic® Tree
B0220 Laundry Bluing, 8 oz

†Next Generation Science Standards and NGSS are registered trademarks of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.