Nature's Calendar

Woody growth in temperate climates follows a cycle in which spring growth is rapid and forms light-colored wood, while summer growth is slower and forms dark wood, creating annual rings whose number indicates a tree's age. A white oak in John Bryan State Park's campground began growing in 1691 A.D. and was 294 years old when it had to be cut down in 1985. The width of its annual rings can indicate conditions affecting growth when they were laid down, and between 1750 and 1850 this tree's growth was slowed by drought, competition, or some other stress.

Ohio · United States