How
Old is Your Tree?
Background
How could you estimate the age of your tree, without cutting it down to
count its rings? Think about this question. What other ways could you
measure your tree to get a good indication of its age?
Knowing
the age of a tree can help us all appreciate trees. Normally a forester
will take a core-boring into a tree and count the annual rings if he or
she would like to know the age of a tree. Unfortunately, this method can
be very harmful to a tree, since the boring will leave a hole in the tree
which insects may enter. The method for aging trees described below was
developed by the International Society of Arboriculture. This method will
give a good estimate of a tree's age.
Try This!
- Draw an
age ring diagram of your tree.
- Mark the
rings of your tree by writing in the year on various lines (i.e.mark
the lines corresponding to the decades...1990, 1980, 1970, etc.)
- Find years
of historic importance--both nationally and locally in your own city--and
mark it on your diagram next to the year it occurred.
- Students
could ask their parents for the year of a significant event in their
past, or for a significant event that occurred in a specific year plotted
on your tree line.
- Next,
students could ask their grandparents for the year of a significant
event in their past, or for a significant event that occurred in a specific
year plotted on your tree line.
- How does
your rate of growth (human growth) compare to the rate and direction
of tree growth? What factors can influence both of these rates?
How to
Estimate Age:
1. Students should work in groups of 3 or 4.
2. Determine the species of your tree. Make sure it is on the list below.
3. With a tape measure, find the circumference of the tree (in inches)
4 1/2 feet above the ground.
4. Determine the diameter of your tree.
Formula:
Diameter = Circumference divided by 3.14 (pi)
5. Calculate
the age of the tree.
Formula:
Diameter X Growth Factor
Tree
Species |
Growth
Factor |
Tree
Species |
Growth
Factor |
Red
Maple |
4.5
|
White
Oak |
5.0
|
Silver
Maple |
3.0
|
Red
Oak |
4.0
|
Sugar
Maple |
5.0
|
Pin
Oak |
3.0
|
River
Birch |
3.5
|
Linden
or Basswood |
3.0
|
White
Birch |
5.0
|
American
Elm |
4.0
|
Shagbark
Hickory |
7.5
|
Ironwood |
7.0
|
Green
Ash |
4.0
|
Cottonwood |
2.0
|
Black
Walnut |
4.5
|
Dogwood |
7.0
|
Black
Cherry |
5.0
|
Redbud |
7.0
|
|
|
Aspen |
2.0
|
Credits
Lesson provided by Jim Gilbert & Cathie Plaehn
Drawn from the International Society
of Arboriculture
Note
Jim Skiera of the International Society of Arboriculture provided these
important notes about the accuracy of this method:
"The
figures in your chart are taken for forest grown trees.
In a landscape setting, where trees are being provided additional care,
these figures probably would need to be adjusted to get an accurate
estimate. Growth has to do with the location of the tree and the type
of care it has received. Trees in the landscape tend to grow faster and
develop wider growth rings more quickly because the competition from
other trees is usually less and the additional water and fertilizer
that is provided by the home owner will also increase growth. If you are working on school projects you may also want to visit
the ISA website and look in the
publications area under consumer tree care information."
In addition, Dr. Charles Byvik of Virginia wrote with this example:
"I believe the formula on this site for estimating the age of an oak tree is incorrect. I have applied your formula to a number of willow oaks in the Mount Vernon VA area and, specifically, two oaks that were planted in honor of George Washington's Bicentennial in 1932 — 85 years ago. The circumference of these oaks measure approximately 15 ft (180”) giving an estimated age of ~ 172 years. This estimate is approximately 2 times too long! I suggest the formula should be changed to determine the RADIUS of the tree NOT the DIAMETER. Or Age ~ [Circumference/(2 X 3.14)] X Growth Factor."
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