Growth rings on a tree, also referred to as tree rings or annual rings, can be seen in a horizontal cross section cut through the trunk of a tree. Growth rings are the result of new growth in the vascular cambium and are synonymous with secondary growth. Visible rings result from the change in growth speed through the seasons throughout the year, thus one ring usually marks the passage of one year in the life of the tree. For the entire period of a tree's life, a year-by-year record or ring pattern is formed that reflects the climatic conditions in which the tree grew. Adequate moisture and a long growing season result in a wide ring. A drought year may result in a very narrow one. The scientific method of tree-ring dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings is called dendrochronology. I’m not really sure how old this tree was, but I think I counted nearly 60 rings; which means it was almost as old as me.
