What are growth rings in trees used to determine?

Growth rings in trees are formed as a result of the tree’s growth cycle and represent the layers of wood produced in a single growing season. Each ring typically consists of a light-colored part, which is produced in the spring when growth is rapid, and a darker part, which is produced in the slower growth of late summer and fall. Counting these rings allows you to determine the age of the tree, as each ring corresponds to one year of growth. This method provides a visual and physical record of the tree’s age and can also reflect historical data about the environmental conditions during those years, such as periods of drought or abundant moisture, but primarily serves to establish how long the tree has been alive.

While height, nutrient absorption, and soil quality are all important aspects of a tree's health and growth, these cannot be directly determined through the analysis of growth rings. The process of counting growth rings is a standard practice in dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, and is a reliable method for determining a tree's age.