Ring counts are not foolproof! Trees may produce “false rings” during years of unusual weather conditions. For example, drought followed by high rain can trigger a secondary growth ring in the same year. Cooler climates are less likely to experience this kind of growth. There can also be missing rings in years of extreme drought or defoliation. The older the tree, the more opportunities there are for abnormalities, too. Maine has a fairly consistent climate without extreme drought or rainfall. Therefore, using ring counts is the best method for estimating the age of a tree and placing it in a historical context.
Pine Tree Dating and Mapping Project:
The purpose of this project is to determine the age and location of pine trees. In a forest like this one, which has been periodically disturbed by humans over the centuries, we can determine landscape changed by studying how pine trees have proliferated. Pine trees typically are among the first to colonize open spaces.
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