How do we estimate the age of a tree?
How to calculate the age of the tree
On the basis of age plants are divided into three categories: annuals, bi-annuals and perennials. The annualare those plants which take birth grow up give fruits and die within a year. Wheat, barley, gram, peas, tomato- all live for one year only. The bi-annual plants live for two years. In the first year they bear only leaves and in the second year- flowers and fruits and after that they die. Plants like the fox-glove and the hollyhock come under this category. The perennial plants live for more than two years. Generally they are called trees or bushes. They blossom and bear fruits many times. The trees of the neem, mango, jamun, guava etc. Come under this category.
Scientists have devised a very simple technique to calculate the age of a tree. This technique refers to the number of rings present in the trunk of a tree. If you cut off a slice from the tree trunk you will notice many concentric rings in it. These rings are the record of the tree’s age. However the wood which grows in winter and autumn is denser and harder as compared to that grown in spring and summer. This result in the formation of a ring in the trunk every year. These rings are of brown and cream colours alternatively. Thus the number of ring counted from the centre of the trunk of a tree tells its age in years. Its central portion is called the path.