How to Draw a Mangrove Tree

1. Begin the mangrove tree outline by sketching the trunk and roots. Use pairs of curved lines, allowing them to overlap with additional sets of lines. The roots should branch and become smaller as they near the water. Enclose the ends with short lines, marking the water lines.

2. Continue drawing the roots of the Avicennia cartoon. Use pairs of lines that overlap and branch, becoming smaller and smaller as they reach the water.

3. Continue drawing the tangled and twisting roots, some at the side of the trunk and others near the back of it. Again, use pairs of lines that overlap and branch, becoming smaller and smaller as they reach the water.

4. Draw more twisted roots visible behind the others. Use pairs of lines for each segment.

5. Begin sketching the branches near the top of the tree. Use pairs of lines for each segment of the branches. Then, draw the leaves. Use a pair of lines for each leaf, allowing them to meet at a sharp point. Draw a curved line for the vein at the center of each leaf.

6. Draw more branches and leaves. Again, use pairs of lines for the branches. For detailed leaves near the front, use two lines that meet at a point, with a third forming the vein. Outline other portions of the leafy canopy using a series of lines that meet at jagged points.

7. Continue to draw the canopy, using a series of lines that meet at jagged points. Intersperse more detailed leaves - two lines that meet at a point, with a third forming the vein.

8. Finish enclosing the canopy and detail its interior with clusters of leaves.

9. Complete your mangrove tree outline by drawing the background. Draw a straight horizon line with cloudlike shapes indicating a distant shore.

Draw curved lines around the roots of the tree to indicate ripples in the water. Detail the canopy with additional leaves, and draw a few leaves falling from it.

Color your cartoon mangrove tree. Like most trees, mangroves have brown trunks and green leaves.