Aastarõngaste

Aastarõngaste, commonly known as tree rings, are a natural archive of a tree's life. Each year, a tree grows a new layer of wood beneath its bark. This layer is composed of two parts: earlywood, which is lighter and wider, formed during the spring and early summer when growth is rapid; and latewood, which is darker and denser, formed later in the summer and autumn. The contrast between the latewood of one year and the earlywood of the next creates a distinct line, marking the end of one growth year and the beginning of another.

The width and characteristics of these rings can reveal a great deal about the environmental conditions the tree experienced during its lifetime. Wide rings generally indicate favorable growing conditions, such as ample rainfall and sunlight. Conversely, narrow rings suggest stressful periods, like drought, cold temperatures, insect infestations, or competition for resources. By studying the pattern of these rings, scientists can reconstruct past climate data, understand historical fire events, and even date wooden artifacts. This field of study is called dendrochronology.