How can you find how old a tree is? - Info Pack - Year 2

Estimating the age of a tree can be a fascinating activity for Year 2 students, and there are several methods to explore this. The first method involves trying to discover the tree's planting date, but this information is often not readily available and may be based on estimates. A more scientific and reliable method is to count the growth rings of a tree. Each ring typically represents one year of the tree's life. However, this method has a significant drawback as it requires the tree to be cut down to examine the cross-section, which is not an ideal or environmentally friendly approach.

For a non-destructive technique, there's a third method that involves some mathematical calculations. Students can measure the circumference of the tree trunk at a height of at least one metre from the ground. The measurement is then divided by a specific factor, depending on the tree's location. If the tree is in a woodland, the circumference is divided by 1.25, and if it's in an open space, the factor is 2.5. This calculation gives an estimated age of the tree. For example, if a tree in an open space has a circumference of 115 cm, dividing this by 2.5 gives an estimated age of 46 years. This method allows students to learn about tree age without causing harm to the tree itself.