Activity
How Old is That Tree?
Every year on our birthday we have a reminder of how old we are. And if we ever forget, we can always ask our parents! How do you think you find out how old a tree is? When a tree has been cut down, you can count its "rings" in order to tell how old it is, but what about when it is alive? We can't ask a tree how old it is. But there is a way! This activity will teach you and your child a way to estimate the age of a tree without cutting it down. It doesn't work with every tree but it will with a lot of them.
Grade
Subject
ScienceEarth & Space ScienceNature ActivitiesLife Science MathMeasurementUnits of MeasurementUS (Imperial) MeasurementMeasuring in Inches
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- Tree
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Pen
- Paper
- Helper
What You Do:
- Help your child find a tree that is at least as tall as a grown up and have your child wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of the trunk. (A grown up might need to help with this part!) The distance around the trunk of a tree is called the circumference. Write this measurement down on a piece of paper.
- The measurement of the circumference in inches is also the approximate age of the tree in years!
Did You Know?
Every year a new layer of growth occurs just under the bark. Some trees like firs and redwoods may grow more than this in a year, while others like cedars may grow less. This method is a good rule of thumb to estimate the age of a tree.
Related Guided Lesson
Based on your interest in How Old is That Tree?.
Measurement and Data 3
4 games
1 interactive story
Grade
Second grade
Subject
Math
Units of Measurement
Related learning resources
How Much is One Liter?
Worksheet
How Much is One Liter?
...Then they are asked to identify objects that hold more or less than a liter!
measurement, liters, measuring in liters, how much is one liter...
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Measurement: What Do You Notice?
Worksheet
Measurement: What Do You Notice?
Use this exercise to encourage students to think deeply about how each visual is similar and different.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Spooky Halloween Jars
Activity
Spooky Halloween Jars
Get estimating with this spooky activity that asks your young mathematician to rely on their problem-solving skills to figure out how many items they believe are in spooky Halloween jars!
2nd grade
Math
Activity
Pumpkin Investigation Guidelines
Worksheet
Pumpkin Investigation Guidelines
far it will roll, how many seeds it has, and more!
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Little Chick
Activity
Little Chick
This little chick is so cute that your child will want to make a whole flock to call her own.
3rd grade
Math
Activity
More or Less?
Worksheet
More or Less?
This printable will get them laughing as they show off how much they know.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Color and Estimate Pounds
Worksheet
Color and Estimate Pounds
Kids get a lesson in estimation as they color objects that weigh more than a pound red and objects that weigh less than a pound blue.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Bake Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
Activity
Bake Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
This decadent bread pudding, dressed up with pumpkin and warm spices, is a holiday show-stopper.
3rd grade
Math
Activity
Pumpkin Nut Bread
Activity
Pumpkin Nut Bread
Here's a pumpkin nut bread recipe that makes for a wonderful project on a crisp autumn afternoon.
5th grade
Math
Activity
Measurement Review
Worksheet
Measurement Review
See if your child is a measurement master with this review test.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Measurement Mania #9: Jump!
Worksheet
Measurement Mania #9: Jump!
This cute printable challenges your third grader to practice identifying on a ruler the different heights that each of the critters can jump.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
Gallon Man Printable
Worksheet
Gallon Man Printable
Gallon Man is a helpful character for understanding measurements. Build him on a new sheet of paper and map out converting a gallon to quarts, pints and cups.
3rd grade
Math
Worksheet
See this activity in a set:
Master the Great Outdoors!