How can you tell how old a forest is?

Question

I would like to estimate the age of some woodlands near my home. The trees arent that big (Not sure if that always makes a diffrence)and im not sure what kind they are. Its a hillside woodland close to a river. Any tips on Identifying young woodlands are appreciated. Thanks

This location may of at one time been grasslands.

Answer 1

Cut down all the trees and count the rings on each. Average them for the average age and the most rings is the oldest tree.

Answer 2

If the forest is near a river, then on a geologic timescale the river may have cut out the entire valley. Its likely that trees replaced they cut away hillside as the river cleared it (this is likely thousands of years ago) keep in mind that if you are in a Northern area, there were glaciers carving up the Earth about 10,000 years ago, so few forested lands in the North have been all trees since before that time.

Realistically its a difficult question to answer without doing some scientific research. I would suggest talking to ecology professionals or teachers in your area, they will know a lot more than anyone can answer online.

Answer 3

Do you have an old forest nearby to compare it to? When plants repopulate a deforested area, they do so in a particular order. first there is grass and then bushes and then fast-growing trees with leafs and then maybe pine trees, but this depends on where you live.
In an old untouched forest, there are also old dead trees, unless someone have collected these for fire wood or something.

Answer 4

Check the history of your town and see the part about that woodland.

Answer 5

the forest could be 100 yrs old but the trees still standing could be 20 yrs old. You need to get soil samples to really see how old it is.