I couldn't find an existing discussion about counting the rings. Is it usually easier when a tree is just-cut, or do the rings become more apparent as a stump ages? Probably depends on the type of tree. Do all trees have rings to count?

I'm not sure I can distinguish them on this cherry laurel stump, cut yesterday. Around a foot diameter. Our house is 123 yrs old and there was 2 of these on each side of the house. I've always wondered how old they were.

We had a house that would now be 105 years old and it, too, had a cherry laurel planted on each side of the front porch - as did several other houses nearby.

I have no idea when that was "the thing to do." Were yours also way too close?

As far as aesthetics go, they're beautiful little trees. Evergreen, nice solid shade, pretty blooms right about now. Most of me is sorry to see them go. But it's completely impossible to garden under one and I'm getting too old to pull literally thousands of sprouts every year. The illness and wobbling in the wind were the last straw.

Many years ago I collected a yamadori (collected from the wild, SW of Rapid City, SD in the badlands) Black Hills Spruce, to become a bonsai, growing in a natural bowl in a rock that over time became filled with duff. When I lifted it, there was only a single long root growing out of the duff and into a rock crevice, which assumed was it's water supply line. It had a secondary trunk that was dead, but too long for the composition, so I cut it off. I was curious about it's age but couldn't see any rings. For the fun of it, I cut the end off with a band saw polished the cut with cerium oxide and then jeweler's rouge. We mounted a sewing needle on a clamping device as a reference point, then used it as a pointer to count the rings as we moved a 500x microscope table to count the rings. The trunk where I cut it was 1.727" thick (used a micrometer) and we counted about 390 rings. Each time we counted, it was always within a few rings either side of 390. That would put the living part of the tree at somewhere near 500 years old, because it was noticeably thicker. The tree must have been living on an unbelievably meager supply of nutrients and water. Unfortunately, I had 7 of my best trees stolen about 6 years ago, and that was one of the trees taken. I still mourn losing those trees as though they were pets. They almost were.
Al

Oh, that would be an awful feeling! I feel pretty bad just hearing about it.

I've seen plenty of tree rings displays at parks, and noticed them at times among pieces of firewood, but have never investigated any significant details about them.

If a process like you described with the polishing, substance, magnification are required, the question about the age of my former tree will remain a mystery. But it is fun to know there are other people MORE curious than me! : )

It was only because the rings are too close together to be able to discern individual rings, even with a 500x microscope. Polishing them with cerium oxide followed by jeweler's rouge, both applied to a buffing wheel, made them pop and much easier to see.
Before retiring and selling my business, I operated a contract glazing corp, so we always had on hand the tools and supplies to buff out any scratches in materials like glass/mirrors, ceramic tile, granite, .... . It wasn't much effort to buff a piece of wood up nice and pretty. Just dress the wheel and flip a switch.
8" of snow and ice here yesterday. I'm ready for spring!
Al

That sounds like so much more fun than my work! If you have any pics tucked away of the tree rings, I'd love to see them.

I took pictures but even with a good macro-focus lens the rings couldn't be seen. They're finer than a spider web.
Al

Tiffany, you should try to count your tree rings. It will be easier than tapla's example because (I assume) you tree had a much easier life. I have done it a couple times on stumps of pine trees. It gets a little dizzying but fun to try. You know its less than 123 years old.

BTW, your question: "Do all trees have rings to count?" Trees living at the equator don't grow rings because they aren't subjected to seasons.

I would like to! On the stump and the trunk logs, there are no discernible rings at all. Maybe they will become more apparent as they dry.

Take and post some pictures of what you say you cannot discern. Let the entire diameter of the stump and/or log ends fill the frame. Like these...

I will if it changes and anything becomes visible.

A cleaner cut would probably help.

Agree 100%. I have some logs that were cleanly cut after it was on the ground. There are no rings visible on those either. Just the difference in color between inner core and outer wood.

You are intent on denying us our pleasure...

I can see where it might feel that way, a wood tease. I'll try to get on it very soon so everyone can not see what can't be seen along with me. Already dark today.

It seems to show "eras," but not individual years, assuming we're looking for at least 50 rings.




Should I use some sandpaper on it?

Try sanding. Here and there I think I can see what might be an annual ring - maybe.

"Do all trees have rings to count?"

Well that depends on what you define as 'tree'.

Only those that have secondary growth (width) will produce visible rings. So with that in mind, palms do not.