Every year, trees form new growth rings (also called tree rings). Not only do these tree rings tell us the age of a tree, but they also tell us climate conditions during the life of a tree. One light ring and one dark ring represent one year of the trees life.

What do thick tree rings represent?

In areas where the length of the growing season is the limiting factor, the thickness of tree rings can indicate when growing seasons were longer (during warmer times) and when growing seasons were shorter (cooler times). The study of the growth of tree rings is known as dendrochronology.

What can you learn from the rings of a tree?

The Short Answer: The characteristics of the rings inside a tree can tell scientists how old a tree is and what the weather conditions were like during each year of that trees life. Very old trees can offer clues about what the climate in an area was like long before measurements were recorded.

Why are tree rings important?

These rings can tell us how old the tree is, and what the weather was like during each year of the trees life. Because trees are sensitive to local climate conditions, such as rain and temperature, they give scientists some information about that areas local climate in the past.

Is it bad to put rocks around trees?

Rock mulch protects roots and trunks, conserves water and decorates the area around trees. Landscaping with rocks around trees improves the yards appearance with a natural material. Spreading small rocks around trees serves as an inorganic mulch, inhibiting weeds, insulating roots and conserving moisture.