What is 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.