Question

Age of a tree can be estimated by

• A. Biomass.
• B. Its height and girth.
• C. Diameter of its heartwood.
• D. Number of annual rings.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Number of annual rings $=$ Number of Years.

The annual rings of a tree are made each year when a new layer of wood is added to the trunk and branches of the tree. New wood grows from the cambium layer between the old wood and the bark. Since there is more moisture in the spring, the energy of the tree can be directed toward producing large growth cells. As the season moves into summer, the growth slows and finally stops in the fall. There are two parts to an annual ring a light portion and a darker portion. The light section is called Springwood. This part of the ring is usually widest because the tree does most of its growing then. The darker part, Summerwood, is thinner. The tree's growth slows down, hence a thinner band. This study of the rings of trees is called dendrochronology.