Tree Growth and Aging
Trees grow fast when young. By 150 years old, height growth stops. Tree growth depends on water and sunlight availability. Trees at equator reach maturity in 10-20 years. Trees in north latitudes grow slower, less than a meter or two per year.
Scientists found older trees grow faster. A theory suggests tree cells must stop dividing, stopping height growth. Another idea says tree height is limited by transporting water from roots to leaves.
Signs a Tree Needs Attention
Signs a tree should be cut down: decay fungi at base, chipped bark, cracks in trunk or branches, cavities in trunk or branches. An arborist cares for trees. Arboriculture deals with growing, maintaining, and removing trees.
Tree Growth and Age Relationship
Trees grow more slowly as they age. At a certain age, they essentially stop gaining height. Consider the mountain ash. As a young tree, it might grow two to three meters – or about seven to 10 feet – every year.
According to a recent study published in the journal Nature, trees actually continue to grow at an accelerated rate as they get older and larger. This finding goes against the common belief that trees slow down their growth as they age. The study provides scientific evidence that challenges this notion and sheds light on the fascinating growth patterns of trees.
Slow Growth in Certain Tree Species
The trees that grow the slowest can take between 100-1000 years to reach maturity. Examples of such trees are Eastern Hemlock, White Cedar, Japanese Maple, Don Egolf Redbud, Serbian Spruce Tree, Purple Lily Magnolia, etc.