Determine Tree Age
While hiking through the forest, you will surely see many beautiful trees. Start an exciting adventure and find out how old a tree is. Wander through the woods and measure, for example, the circumference of a tree. With a special formula, you can estimate the approximate age of a tree. So put on your hiking shoes, grab your measuring tapes, and get ready for an exciting adventure. Let's go! For your information: The formula comes from www.baumportal.de, where you can also find a "Tree Age Estimator" that you can use. Remember, this is just an approximate estimate.
What you'll need
- Notebook and pencil ✏️
- Measuring tape
- optional calculator
How it works
-
Go into the forest and look for a fallen tree. Count the rings of the tree to find out how old it was. Each ring represents a year in the life of the tree. Wide rings indicate fast growth, while narrow rings suggest slow growth phases.
-
How can you determine the age of a living tree? Choose a special tree and find out how old it is. Examine the leaves. Older trees often have larger and thicker leaves than younger trees.
-
Also, take a look at the surroundings. Does the tree grow near a water source or in fertile soil? How big or thick are the other trees nearby?
-
Check the thickness of the trunk. Measure the circumference of the tree at a height of 1 meter and at a height of 1.5 meters. Calculate the average of both measurements by adding them together and dividing by two.
-
Now comes the exciting part. Multiply your average by the correct factor, depending on the type of your tree. Oak and Lime: 0.8 Yew and Chestnut: 0.7 Beech, Maple, Fir, Elm: 0.6 Ash, Alder, Spruce, Larch: 0.4 The result will show you approximately how old the tree is.
What kids learn from this
- Connection to nature & environmental awareness
- Understanding of nature & patience
