Counting rings is the tried and true method for determining the age of a tree. Dendrochronology is the science of counting tree rings to determine tree age and to identify extreme and unique environmental events. Scientists use certain trees, such as bristlecone 
pine, that have slow growth rates and live for a very long time, to map out long sequences of weather patterns. These sequences are use to compare to known events, and to help develop base lines for carbon dating. In some regions dendrochronologists have more than 10,000 years sequenced. There are some problems with counting rings. Some of them surmountable and some not.
June 30, 2010
Tree Rings –Using Dendrochronology to Age Trees –Counting Rings
June 29, 2010
Tree Fertilizer Products for the Do It Yourselfer
Fertilizing trees is a great way to keep trees healthy and is especially important for revitalizing sick trees. I highly recommend you read my four part series on tree fertilizers. You can access them by clicking on the fertilize link under categories on the right sidebar. This article is aimed at pointing you toward a few fertilizer products you can buy to do the job yourself. Some of the tips here will help you with the timing of the right application, but you do need to read the label of the product you are using to make sure you are applying it at the right rate.
I'm Keith Brown, owner of Austin Tree Experts. This is my repository of tree knowledge. I hope you find what you are looking for.
