How are growth rings formed? What are the significance of these rings?
Dear Student,
Each year in the temperate climates, growth resumes in the spring. The first vessels formed are wide and thin walled, being suitable for the conduction of large quantities of water. Water is required to initiate growth, particularly the expansion of new cells, as in developing leaves. Later in the year, fewer vessels are produced and they are narrow with thicker walls. During winter the cambium remains dormant. The autumn wood produced at the end of one year, as growth ceases, will therefore be immediately next to the spring wood of the following year and will differ markedly in appearence. This contrast is seen as the annual ring.
It helps in determining the age of the plant. It is done through Annual ring count. Annual ring count is a technique to estimate the age of a tree. The annual rings of a tree are made each year when a new layer of wood is added to the trunk and branches of the tree. Annual ring consists of two parts – a light portion and a darker portion. Light portion grows in the spring and summer. This part of the ring is usually widest because the tree does most of its growing due to the availability of water and other conditions. Darker portion grows in winter, here growth of the tree slows down, due to scarcity of water hence possess a thinner band.
Regards,
Each year in the temperate climates, growth resumes in the spring. The first vessels formed are wide and thin walled, being suitable for the conduction of large quantities of water. Water is required to initiate growth, particularly the expansion of new cells, as in developing leaves. Later in the year, fewer vessels are produced and they are narrow with thicker walls. During winter the cambium remains dormant. The autumn wood produced at the end of one year, as growth ceases, will therefore be immediately next to the spring wood of the following year and will differ markedly in appearence. This contrast is seen as the annual ring.
It helps in determining the age of the plant. It is done through Annual ring count. Annual ring count is a technique to estimate the age of a tree. The annual rings of a tree are made each year when a new layer of wood is added to the trunk and branches of the tree. Annual ring consists of two parts – a light portion and a darker portion. Light portion grows in the spring and summer. This part of the ring is usually widest because the tree does most of its growing due to the availability of water and other conditions. Darker portion grows in winter, here growth of the tree slows down, due to scarcity of water hence possess a thinner band.
Regards,