The best way to determine a tree's age in a non-destructive way is to core a tree using an increment borer. Here is a nice set of videos introducing you to dendrochronology or tree ring analysis: http://www.ohio.edu/people/dyer/Tree_Core/

I must warn you, simply counting rings will not provide you with the exact age of a tree. As mentioned above, some years trees produce 'two rings'. These would be called false rings. Other times, they will not produce a ring where you sample a tree. This can be significant issue. Here are some examples of why you need to cross-date: http://meridian.aag.org/callforpapers/program/AbstractDetail.cfm?AbstractID=44669

To learn to cross-date, go here: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/skeletonplot/introcrossdate.htm

Finally, you cannot estimate a tree's age using the formula above, especially if you are interested in the ages of trees growing in nature. I'm not sure it works in most cases. Tree size is poorly correlated to tree size, if it is correlated at all. Here is a good paper discussing this issue: http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/staff/baker/docs/Baker03b.pdf

You can estimate if a tree might be old, however. Here is a blog post: http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/03/18/charismatic-megaflora-what-do-old-trees-look-like/

Here is the paper from which that blog post was created: http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~adk/pubs/CharacteristicsOldTreesNAJ_2010pederson.pdf

i hope this helps.

neil

Yes, but i asked specifically for the way that by it i will take a section from the tree without cutting it

I try to inter this site for more information but i found nothing

This method performed by using core cutting and i need more information about it before performing it

You need kind of drill, similar to a pipe. It is usually operated by hand. It is important to make it as precise as possible, to get the exact core - not so easy (some trees grow excentric). The sample exhibit the pattern of early and late wood - but only if the winter dormancy occurs at Your climate - sometimes the drought has the same effect. It would be better to check how this tree grows by examining the younger branches.

Need more details?

Hi,

There is a corer that takes a tree sample as discussed of the tree rings. It is important to get it into the center of the tree, and you are correct: some years may have two rings. So you only get an estimate.

The best way to determine a tree's age in a non-destructive way is to core a tree using an increment borer. Here is a nice set of videos introducing you to dendrochronology or tree ring analysis: http://www.ohio.edu/people/dyer/Tree_Core/

I must warn you, simply counting rings will not provide you with the exact age of a tree. As mentioned above, some years trees produce 'two rings'. These would be called false rings. Other times, they will not produce a ring where you sample a tree. This can be significant issue. Here are some examples of why you need to cross-date: http://meridian.aag.org/callforpapers/program/AbstractDetail.cfm?AbstractID=44669

To learn to cross-date, go here: http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/skeletonplot/introcrossdate.htm

Finally, you cannot estimate a tree's age using the formula above, especially if you are interested in the ages of trees growing in nature. I'm not sure it works in most cases. Tree size is poorly correlated to tree size, if it is correlated at all. Here is a good paper discussing this issue: http://www.biolsci.monash.edu.au/staff/baker/docs/Baker03b.pdf

You can estimate if a tree might be old, however. Here is a blog post: http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/03/18/charismatic-megaflora-what-do-old-trees-look-like/

Here is the paper from which that blog post was created: http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~adk/pubs/CharacteristicsOldTreesNAJ_2010pederson.pdf

i hope this helps.

neil

Also, the corer is not damage-free. It will damage the tree slightly, but healthy trees will respond well and keep damage minimal.

I saw it done about 45 years ago. I worked in trees for about 15 years.

Twenty five percent of all tropical trees show growth rings. It is not necessary that it will be annual. More than one growth ring may be present in a year. So for the determination of exact age of a tree it is important to know the growth ring pattern or annuality in a growth ring of a tree. The knowledge of wood anatomy is necessary for the growth ring analysis. For example in tropical region teak tree (Tectona grandis) shows annual rings but sometimes it also shows false ring or missing ring or some times double rings. So by cross- dating technique these rings can be traced out and accurate age can be determined. In temperate region most of the trees show annual rings or growth rings. But in tropical region dendrochronology (Growth ring analysis) technique is a challenge for diffuse porous species. Only ring- porous or semi-ring porous species shows growth rings. But to know the exact age of a tree it really needs more research for individual tree species.

In temperate climate diffuse porrous trees also have annual rings, but distinct only using microscope.

It would be easier to talk when we know the species and approximate location - mostly is there a winter or annual dry period.

Yes - false growth rings are observed, I think mostly originated in dry period (no water, no radial growth), so it is more complicated.

Yes - some tropical trees present growth rings but their origin is different than in case of temperate trees.

There is also a matter of terminal / initial parenchyma, maybe it will be helpful.

And moreover - do You need precise information or just approximate data?

The previous answers are good enough. I just recommend you to take a look at this lecture on Basic Field Techniques:

http://web.utk.edu/~grissino/ltrs/lectures/field%20methods.ppt

If the selected tree has a large diameter you need a strong guy to take the sample out using increment borer.

we can make transversal section, beacaused near by twenty five percent of all tropical trees show growth rings. The knowledge of wood anatomy is necessary for the growth ring analysis. For example in tropical region teak tree (Tectona grandis) shows annual rings but sometimes it also shows false ring or missing ring or some times double rings. So by cross- dating technique these rings can be traced out and accurate age can be determined. In temperate region most of the trees show annual rings or growth rings. But in tropical region dendrochronology (Growth ring analysis) technique is a challenge for diffuse porous species. Only ring- porous or semi-ring porous species shows growth rings. But to know the exact age of a tree it really needs more research for individual tree species.It is not necessary that it will be annual. More than one growth ring may be present in a year. So for the determination of exact age of a tree it is important to know the growth ring pattern or annuality in a growth ring of a tree.

Hello, My self is Valentine Denis and I did my Masters in Environmental Management from University of Kiel Germany, my master thesis was( Performance of the beech tree in rewetted and drained condition). Where I had to find the age of the tree , what I did is , I did the coring of the tree with a corer and then took the samples dried it , polished it so that the rings are visible , then I put it under a microscope specially made to count the tree rings, which I had to do it manually and record the readings in the computer , which was connected with a software ( TSAP-win (dendrochronology analysis). The tree rings were recorded and then you have to save it , and you can then analyze the data. If you want to know more mail me at [email protected].... Regards Valentine

I will perform this matter in protectorate area and this a serious matter because i don't want to expose trees to danger of insect and diseases and i don not know what i can do in this case the second matter i want to determined the exact ages and some of you said that the rings can formed or not how i can also overcome this problems??

Tell me wht exactly you need and i will let u know

I need to determined the age of trees in protectorate area without harming the trees and need to know the correct way to do this.

what is the climate? Does there occur winter or annual dry season?

Continental climate of the region the climate is hot in summer, slash to cold in the winter as the trees grow on the water filling the rivers and sometimes at a fraction of which increase the level of the river level.

how cold? First - the most important - question is if the tree is deciduous?

The degree of cold does not exceed 20 degrees in winter and hot in the summer.Most of the trees leaves are falling between the months of September and December, another type his leaves fall and become dry in July and another type dry his leaves without falling.

When tree leaves are falling, cambium should be dormant (as I and some other believe, transpiration is important for its functioning). If this happens in annual rhythm, this should be helpful. Still there is a possibility of forming false tree rings.

If there is no research on the cambial activity of those trees, to estimate exact age You should check the annual activity of cambium, then compare the tree rings - microscopically they will be distinct even for most of diffuse-porous trees, if only dormant period occurs (as You can see here: http://www.woodanatomy.ch/species.php?code=BEPE# )

If tree is not too big You can also try to count scars left by dormancy buds (I am not sure if I named it correctly, i mean the buds formed before dormant time of year, at the shoot apex).

How i can check the annual activity of cambium?

And if i count the number of scares how can it be useful to me.

Research of cambium are rather difficult. First I would check if it is indeed dormant. You can take a sample from rather young branch. Still - if the branch is 2-3 years old, You can see the structure of wood - are there distinct growth rings, what is the kind of wood, is there marginal parenchyma.

We usually estimate the age of young branches by counting scars, above the last scar it is this year increment, under first, but above second - the previous years, and so on. Each year the dormant bud is formed when tree is turning into dormant state, when it start to grow leaves, dormant bud breaks.

But it seems impossible to count dormant buds for the tree older then several years. Still it may help to determine the range of annual increment - measure the radius of wood for 1 year old, 2 years old, 3 years old branch etc.

I have got you but I have become confused about where I am, demanding that it take the sector in the branch of the tree and view it under a microscope and watch the activity of cambium What is Muford that I find where, when compared to the sample, which will take them from the tree to calculate the number of years makes me sure that she rings true as groaning miss to understand the anatomy of this part, what will I see him, which when compared to the sample and make sure it rings true?? Why do I calculate the radius ofthe branch of the tree as well as the old I became very confused?

What is the scientific name of the species you want to study? It can answer a lot of questions, especially if you add the name of the country the tree has grown in.

I want to study many species of trees like acacia trees that are grown in egypt

There are some research on those trees, like: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1095-8339.1986.tb01055.x/abstract

http://www.cabdirect.org/abstracts/20000613485.html;jsessionid=1DABD69988C79F08B1467A56CFC9741B

Please check them, maybe You will find them helpful.

I am sorry, but I am confused about what You asked, please try to write it once more.

I meant that if tree leaves fall in annual rhythm, there should be dormant buds on the branches. Following them may be an easy way to estimate the size of annual increment. This means that You can take a sample of e.g. 1, 2, 3y.old branch and check the structure of wood - You should be able to recognise true and false growth rings.

It seems that acacia's increment depends much on environment, so You shall check everything carefully.

Missing/false rings are not common in all species and if the tree has annual rings, they don't affect tree age determination a lot. ** As far as I know, without using increment borer it is IMPOSSIBLE to determine the EXACT age of a tree; however, there are some ways which can estimate the tree age using its radius but they are far from being accurate.

As Ms. Wilczek said "Acacia's increment depends much on environment". So, cut a relatively thick branch of a tree, clear cross section of those using Sandpapers (First with medium grain sandpaper, then apply fine grain sandpaper). If you could see distinct annual growth i.e. the boundary of tree rings are recognizable, you can assess the tree age using increment borer and counting the number of tree rings; If it doesn't have annual rings, forget it!

P.S: The papers suggested by Ms. Wilczek are focused on cambium dynamics. Although intra-annual cambium dynamics and wood formation are my main fields of research and interest but they are not much related to this topic. I suggest taking a look at this paper: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2028.1992.tb00491.x/abstract

The last but not the least point:

If finally you decided to take a core out of the tree, you should do that from the base of the tree (just above ground) not breast height.

To be honest, if you are not experienced with tree rings (at least theoretically) and nobody around you can help you in that, leave the issue. Counting tree rings from a wood increment is simple but just like any other scientific protocol, there are some minor tricks that you have to know and you can hardly find them on internet or in papers.

Good luck

What do you means by tricks(like what) and to what extent it affect the work?

I think is the good ways for determeni with the anatomy without detructive a pnt

You can try a solution of calcium hypochlorite

By carbon dating is one method:By counting growth rings is another method.

I fully agree with what Mr. Reza said, you should take out increment core sample from the base of the defect free-tree (without fluting) and smoothen it with fine grade sand paper and observe under stereo microscope and count the rings. In tropical trees very few trees exhibit true growth rings (ring-porous trees) e.g: Teak and Toon. Since 75% of the tropical trees are evergreen (they seldom shed it leaves in summer) the wood is diffuse-porous and there is no variation in size of the conducting tissues (vessels) and rings are not discernible and does not produce growth rings except sometimes demarcated by a thin layer of terminal parenchyma which looks like growth ring. Moreover, there might be false rings also formed as a result of the reactivation of the dormant cambium due to precipitation during summer showers. Hence, one has to have basic wood anatomy background to recognize which is the true ring. By cross-dating, one can determine the age of the tree.

See: 'Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, About Tree Rings' and Google: 'Crossdating - The Basic Principle of Dendrochronology' :-)

It's possible to use this equation

Age = DBH X Growth factor

Age = number of branches + 1 (apical growth)