Trees, like animals, are living organisms and have their own life cycle. Each tree, like a person, is born one day, grows for a certain time and dies. The lifespan of trees depends on many factors. Some species can live up to several thousand years.
The article provides information on the basic principles of tree growth, ways to determine their age, information about the life span of trees (more than 20 species), common causes of death, and ways to extend the life of trees. In addition, a selection of record holders for life expectancy among the plant world was made.
How a tree grows
Trees, like animals, have cellular tissues. Instead of skin, they have bark, instead of internal organs, they have wood. The growth of the cellular tissue of a tree occurs, as a rule, in the warm season, when there are leaves on the branches.
Great importance in the growth of trees isphotosynthesis. Scientists call this term the process of formation of organic matter under the influence of sunlight in chloroplasts (special cells found in leaf tissue) of plants. The by-product of photosynthesis is oxygen. That is why trees are called the “lungs of the planet.”
Also important is the nutrients that the plant receives from the ground through the root system. Elements obtained from the soil, through the inner layer of the bark, lud, are transmitted throughout the tree. In the spring, when the main tree growth period (vegetative period) begins, some people make cuts on birch trunks in order to extract birch sap. You should be aware that such actions can seriously damage the tree and even cause its death.
Coniferous forests, unlike deciduous forests, do not shed their leaves and can grow all year round. The needles are covered with a thin layer of wax, which allows the plant to retain moisture. However, their growth also slows down during the cold season.
Methods for determining the age of a tree
There are two main ways to determine the age of a tree. Some of them are the most accurate, and some will only give you a rough idea of how long a tree will live.
The most accurate, but at the same time, the most cruel, in relation to a tree, way is to count the rings that form in the wood during growth. It is believed that one ring is equal to one year of plant life. They are formed as a result of a change in warmand cold seasons. As a rule, the rings are visible to the naked eye. If it is not possible to distinguish the picture, the researchers use a magnifying technique and special coloring liquids. The main disadvantage of this method of determining the life span of a tree is its death. In order to calculate the age of a tree in this way, you will have to cut it down almost at the very base.
Another, more humane, way is to count the tiers of branches on a tree - whorls. Scientists say that one whorl is equal to one year of a tree's life. To get an accurate result, you need to add the crown to all the tiers of the tree. The disadvantage of this age determination is the absence of obvious whorls on many tree species. Best of all, this option is suitable for calculating the lived years of a coniferous tree.
How many types of trees live
Different types of trees have different lifespans. The lifespan of a birch, for example, is significantly less than that of most conifers. Conifers, by the way, live much longer than deciduous ones. At the same time, birch usually outlasts many fruit trees. The lifespan of an oak, in turn, will outstrip most conifers, and so on.
It should be understood that the growing environment plays an important role in the longevity of plants. The trees of the city live much less than they could live outside of it. This is due to high air and soil pollution.
Information on the lifespan of trees is given in a special table. Information about more than 20 species is posted. The name of the tree, life expectancy and region of growth are indicated.
| Name | Lifespan | Distribution area |
|
Oak |
up to 1500 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Ash | up to 350 years | Everywhere |
| Aspen | up to 150 years | Europe and Asia |
| Birch | up to 300 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Beech | up to 500 years | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Elm | up to 300 years | Central Asia, Volga region, Urals |
| Poplar | up to 150 years | Everywhere |
| Alder | up to 300 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Peach | under 15 | Everywhere |
| Apricot | under 30 | Everywhere |
| Sea buckthorn | under 25 | Europe, Asia |
| Plum | under 20 | Everywhere |
| Cedar pine | up to 1000 years | Europe, Asia |
| Fir | up to 200 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Sequoia | up to 5000 years | North America |
| Spruce | up to 600 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Pine | up to 300 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Larch | up to 700 years | Northern Hemisphere |
| Baobab | up to 4500 years | Tropical Africa |
| Apple tree | under 40 | Europe, Asia |
How to prolong the life of a tree?
The lifespan of a tree can be increased by following a few simple guidelines.
First, you need to learn as much information about the tree as possible. Whether it likes shade or feels better in the sun. Whether it requires intensive watering or, conversely, practically does not need water.
Secondly, it is important to choose the right soil for the tree. If the tree is exotic, then ordinary earth will most likely not suit it.
Thirdly, it is necessary to protect the tree from pests that destroy the bark, wood and leaves, thereby preventing the plant from developing. Effective methods arewhitewashing and spraying with special products.
What makes trees die
No matter how sad it may sound, but the main cause of the death of trees is man. Almost 13 million hectares of forest are cut down every year! At this rate, by the middle of the 21st century, there will be practically no trees left on Earth.
The second most important cause is forest fires. Ignitions occur not only through the fault of a person, but also spontaneously. The former is, of course, much more common.
Cultivated fruit trees, in a sense, die at the hands of their owners. The paradox lies in the fact that the desire to achieve maximum yield from a plant catalyzes its vital activity and significantly accelerates the aging process.
Record holders in life expectancy
There are three widely known trees in the world that are over 4000 years old.
Methuselah Pine, located in California, has lived for 4843 years.
Prometheus, a pine tree growing on Mount Wheeler in Nevada, has a lifespan of 4,864 years.
The record holder among living trees is the Tikko spruce growing in Sweden. The lifespan of a tree is estimated to be 9551 years.
