Q&A for How to Determine the Age of a Tree

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What are the fastest growing trees?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

Softwood trees typically grow fastest. These include conifers and pines. Hardwoods, such as elms, oaks, poplars, and maples, grow more slowly.

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How does the age of a tree relate to its size?

Matt Bowman
Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Matt Bowman

Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden

Expert Answer

That's really dependent on the species of the tree. However, for every 1 ft of trunk diameter, you can estimate that the tree is around 8-15 years old.

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How can I know the growth factors of different trees?

Jared Butler

Community Answer

Look online and enter the keywords "growth factor" plus the species of tree in question. Entering your location might give you a more accurate result. For instance, search for, "Growth rate + sycamore trees + Atlanta, GA." If you can't find good results, us a rough estimate of 3/4 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm) of girth growth per year.

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What are tree rings made of?

Community Answer

Tree rings are just new growth from the tree. The growth occurs in the cambium (which is the thin, continuous sheath of cells between bark and wood). In spring, the cambium begins dividing, which creates new tissue and increases the diameter of the tree.

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How old is a tree if it has 10 annual rings?

Community Answer

A tree typically adds one set of growth rings to the diameter of the tree each year. One light-colored "springwood" ring and one darker, denser "summerwood" ring constitutes one set of annual growth rings. So starting at the center of the tree at ground level, if you counted 10 sets of rings, the tree should be 10 years old. But trees may put on "false rings" during drought events, so unless you have experience interpreting growth rings, a simple ring count can be misleading.

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How do I determine the age of a tree?

Community Answer

Count the rings when it's a stump. Otherwise, you're just going to have to estimate by seeing how thick, tall, and strong it is.

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Question

What causes the tree rings to grow unevenly?

Community Answer

A tree ring's width is determined by how much wider the tree grows in one year. Generally, growth rings are widest in years of high rainfall and narrow in years of drought, when the tree has a disease, or is being shaded by other trees.

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Can an apple tree be 80 years old?

Community Answer

Yes. Apple trees can live far longer than 80 years.

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Which ring is the growth ring?

Community Answer

Tree rings are usually composed of alternating narrow, dark rings and wider, light rings. Trees grow fastest in the spring, which produces the wide, light rings. During the summer, trees grow slower, and narrow, dark rings are produced. Each set of rings represents one year's growth for most trees that lose their leaves in the winter.

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How do I find the age of a tree by its tree rings?

Community Answer

Each ring represents a year of growth; simply count the number of rings to determine age.

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Question

How can I determine the age of a tree in a dry climate?

Community Answer

Follow the same steps in this article; each ring represents a year of growth. Simply count the number of rings to determine age.

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