Every year, a tree extends its branches and roots...

Every year, a tree extends its branches and roots, then adds a layer of wood across its entire surface, much like Russian nesting dolls that fit together perfectly. Spring growth produces light-colored wood. As summer progresses, the wood becomes denser and darker. When a tree is cut down and you look at its stump, you see a series of growth rings, each representing a year of growth. You can estimate the tree’s age simply by counting the rings.

In May 2022, a red oak in the Deschênes Forest was toppled by the derecho, the violent windstorm. A wood sample was taken from its stump to count the growth rings. So, how old were you, my oak, when the wind knocked you down? It was about 80 years old and had a diameter of 33 cm. It was a mature tree, but not necessarily an old tree. In fact, red oaks can live up to… 300 years, or even 400 years under ideal conditions.