numerical: growth ring count

Question

A tree trunk cross-section shows 28 distinct annual rings. Assuming one ring forms each year, how old is the tree?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Secondary Growth**: In woody plants, the vascular cambium activity varies with seasons, leading to the formation of 'Annual Rings'.
2. **Annual Ring**: Each ring consists of two parts:
   - **Spring Wood**: Light and wide, formed when growth is rapid.
   - **Autumn/Winter Wood**: Dark and narrow, formed when growth is slow.
3. **Calculation**: One annual ring (Spring + Autumn wood) represents exactly **one year** of growth.
4. **Answer**: 28 rings $	o$ **28 years** old.
5. **Dendrochronology**: The science of dating the age of trees by counting these rings.

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numerical: growth ring count

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