Estimate the age of a tree
There are many things that have an impact on how fast trees grow, including the type of tree, where it grows, how much light it has, and how close other trees are. Here is a good way to estimate the age of most broadleaf trees.
You will need:
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A tree! Try an oak, ash, beech or sycamore. Trees with a straight single trunk are easiest.
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A long tape measure.
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A calculator may be useful unless.
METHOD
Step 1
Have a look around at the area the tree is in to give you the growth rate. Have a think about how good the environment is for a tree to grow in:
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Ideal e.g. an open area with shelter from the wind = 2.5 growth rate.
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Average e.g. Parkland with other trees or a the edge of the woodland = 2 growth rate.
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Poor e.g. Inside a woodland amongst lots of other trees or on poor ground and exposed to the wind = 1.5 growth rate.
Step 2
Measure around the tree trunk (the circumference) in cm at about 1.5m above the ground.
Step 3
Divide the measurement around the tree in step 2 by the growth rate from step 1 to give you an estimate for the age of the tree.
Example:
300cm circumference on a woodland boundary:
300 ÷ 2 = 150 years old
