A Close Look at "Tree Cookies"

Weather conditions, where the tree grows, natural events, man's activities, and age of tree affect the thickness of annual rings on a tree cookie.

The lighter rings are called "early wood" (or spring wood because it grows in the spring), and the darker rings are called "late wood" (because they grow in the summer).

Heartwood is darker then sapwood and it is where the tree no longer grows.

If the center ring is offset this usually means the tree grew on a slope or had to grow around an obstruction. Example: Rings are even and spread out usually means the tree grew where there wasn't much competition. If the rings are tight it usually means it had to compete to get sunlight, nutrients or water.

The light ring and the dark ring (early and late wood) together equal one year in growth.

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Last modified 9/12/05 5:45 PM by dunlapd (history)
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