Aging Trees By Circumference

Step One: Find a Red Maple, White Birch, Red Oak or Dogwood tree (see back)Step Two: Prove you have the right tree Step Three: Measure the circumference of your tree (in inches).Step Four: Use the growth factor to determine the age of your tree.

#1: Identify, justify (describe the bark and leaves), record circumference

#2: Identify, justify (describe the bark and leaves), record circumference

Tree Identification GuideDiameter * Growth Factor = Age

Red Maple: Growth Factor=4.5

Leaves: The leaves of the Red Maple are very roughly toothed with 3-5 shallow lobes. Most of the Red Maple leaves are a light or a pale green to a whitish. Twigs: Most Red Maple twigs appear to be slender and glossy. At first the twigs are green but later in the year they turn a red.Bark: On a young Red Maple the bark can be smooth and gray. On older trees, bark can appear to be darker and rougher with peeling flakes.

Dogwood: Growth Factor=7.0

The bark of flowering dogwood will be a brownish-gray combination of shades. The bark is rough, says the "National Audubon Society Field Guide to Trees," and covers the tree with small blocks that look like scales.Leaves are elliptical and possess tiny serrations on the edges, so fine that you would require a lens to discern them. The 3- to 5-inch long leaves of a flowering dogwood have veins that curve in such a way that they wind up running parallel to the edges of the foliage.

White Birch: Growth Factor=5.0

Leaves: Oval to ovate, 2 to 3" long and 1.5 to 2" wide. Birch leaves have a rounded bottom, pointed tip, and doubly toothed margins.

The bark of young birch trees is brown, gradually turning white with age. The bark of mature birch trees peels into long, narrow, horizontal strips that are curled at the ends. The inner bark has a light salmon color. On old trunks the bark is black and furrowed near the ground.

Red Oak: Growth Factor=4.0

Leaves have seven to 11 toothed lobes that are separated by sinuses extending about halfway to the midrib.

Bark: reddish brown when young; mature tree is dark, furrowed and often laced with broad shiny strips (ski trails).