We are doing a research project on Maple trees, and want to know how to figure out how old a maple tree is based on its diameter. Is there a way of knowing without boring into the tree to count the rings?
2006-10-07 12:17:05 · 8 answers · asked by mighty_power7 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
You could sample some maples by boring and record their diameters, and use the data to make inferences about the whole population. Diameter is an indirect measure of age and may not reflect the popuation as a whole, especially at the edge of the stand. If you can validate your technique, great.
2006-10-07 12:29:54 · answer #1 · answered by novangelis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually a tree reaches a certain hight at adulthood. If it's smaller than the others you can figure out the formula for the answer from there. Also, if there is a nearby tree that has exposed rings you can determine from that and make an educated guess. What I would do is find a tree geek.
2006-10-07 19:30:06 · answer #2 · answered by dww32720 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only way to know the age of the tree without killing it (hopefully) is to take a tree ring core (a sample of the entire width of the tree by driving a metal tube through its trunk). Diameter won't tell you anything because each tree grows at different rates depending on its success of reaching sunlight, leaf coverage, root space, water availability, soil pH/type, etc. Two trees of the exact same age might have completely different forms and sizes.
2006-10-08 15:00:27 · answer #3 · answered by wreck_beach 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to count the rings. There's probably a way of counting the rings without cutting the whole tree down, though.
2006-10-07 19:28:12 · answer #4 · answered by Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4107/is_200511/ai_n15744705
This is a good paper that utilizes a method that helps to determine the age of trees---I have not read completely through it, its method may not be valid. You would have to experiement to know for certain if the method works or not---since, ring width varies due to a variety of things---weather (rainy years---droughts)
Good luck.
2006-10-07 19:32:08 · answer #5 · answered by What, what, what?? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dane is correct. Depending on the growing conditions of a particular year, the growth rate may vary greatly.
2006-10-07 19:25:51 · answer #6 · answered by Wurm™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
need to count the rings. Diameter is somewhat meaningless.
2006-10-07 19:20:41 · answer #7 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-10-08 15:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋