by Hari
Age of the tree was one of the more obvious parameters that our team figures out in our research. It was obvious because when we witnessed hurricane Sandy last year, we saw mostly the older trees succumbing to the storm.
However it was not easy for us to determine how the smartphone app we are proposing will determine the age of the tree. Unlike some other parameters we cannot take a photo of a tree and determine the age by scanning the photo.
The smartphone app is mostly targeted towards homeowners and property owners and in most cases they will know the age of the tree on their property or at least they can put a reasonable good estimate.
The team did an elaborate research on this topic, and discovered several ways age of a tree can be determined. Below are the details on two such methods -
Increment Borer Method
However it was not easy for us to determine how the smartphone app we are proposing will determine the age of the tree. Unlike some other parameters we cannot take a photo of a tree and determine the age by scanning the photo.
The smartphone app is mostly targeted towards homeowners and property owners and in most cases they will know the age of the tree on their property or at least they can put a reasonable good estimate.
The team did an elaborate research on this topic, and discovered several ways age of a tree can be determined. Below are the details on two such methods -
Increment Borer Method
You need a borer that is at least 75% of the tree diameter for this method. This method will most likely not damage or harm the tree. First, you will position the borer at 1.3 meters high from the ground. Drill the borer inside the tree and get a sample containing pith (soft or spongy tissue in plants). Make sure you do it carefully. As you take it out, you will see some rings. Finally, count the number of rings.The age of the tree is typically half the number of rings. Keep in mind that most trees produce a two-colored ring per year, a light spring portion and a dark summer portion.
Circumference Estimation Method
You need only a measuring tape for this method. First measure the circumference of the tree with your measuring tape. Then, calculate the diameter of the tree from the circumference (Diameter = Circumference divided by Pi where Pi equals 3.14. Not pumpkin pie !).
Next, find the growth factor for the tree’s species. Multiply the growth factor of your tree’s species with the diameter. This method can be used to predict the approximate age of the tree.
This formula was developed and used by the International Society of Arboriculture to predict and determine a tree's age. Tree growth rates are affected tremendously by conditions such as water availability, climate, soil conditions, root stress, competition for light, and overall plant vigor.
Here are some growth factors of various species.
Red Maple Species- 4.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Silver Maple Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Sugar Maple Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
River Birch Species - 3.5 Growth Factor X diameter
White Birch Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Shagbark Hickory Species - 7.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Green Ash Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Black Walnut Species - 4.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Black Cherry Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Red Oak Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
White Oak Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Pin Oak Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Basswood Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
American Elm Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Ironwood Species - 7.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Cottonwood Species - 2.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Redbud Species - 7.0 Growth Factor
Dogwood Species - 7.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Aspen Species - 2.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Links/References
http://forestry.about.com/od/silviculture/a/Estimating-A-Trees-Age.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Age-of-a-Tree
You need only a measuring tape for this method. First measure the circumference of the tree with your measuring tape. Then, calculate the diameter of the tree from the circumference (Diameter = Circumference divided by Pi where Pi equals 3.14. Not pumpkin pie !).
Next, find the growth factor for the tree’s species. Multiply the growth factor of your tree’s species with the diameter. This method can be used to predict the approximate age of the tree.
This formula was developed and used by the International Society of Arboriculture to predict and determine a tree's age. Tree growth rates are affected tremendously by conditions such as water availability, climate, soil conditions, root stress, competition for light, and overall plant vigor.
Here are some growth factors of various species.
Red Maple Species- 4.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Silver Maple Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Sugar Maple Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
River Birch Species - 3.5 Growth Factor X diameter
White Birch Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Shagbark Hickory Species - 7.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Green Ash Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Black Walnut Species - 4.5 Growth Factor X diameter
Black Cherry Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Red Oak Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
White Oak Species - 5.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Pin Oak Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Basswood Species - 3.0 Growth Factor X diameter
American Elm Species - 4.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Ironwood Species - 7.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Cottonwood Species - 2.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Redbud Species - 7.0 Growth Factor
Dogwood Species - 7.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Aspen Species - 2.0 Growth Factor X diameter
Links/References
http://forestry.about.com/od/silviculture/a/Estimating-A-Trees-Age.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Determine-the-Age-of-a-Tree