our magnolia tree

Question

We have a magnolia tree that was here when we bought the house 30 years ago. It has a 114′ drip line. How old would this tree be?

Thank you,
George

Answer 1

There is only one way to tell how old a magnolia tree is, and that is by counting the tree's rings. Each year the tree puts on a new layer of growth, creating a thin dark ring between the new growth and last year's growth. By counting these rings you can determine how many growing seasons the tree has seen--in other words, how old the tree is. The trick is to find a way to count the rings without cutting the tree down to reveal them. Fortunately there is a way to accomplish this. It is a device called an increment borer.

Check with a certified Arborist for this device.