Count Growth Tree Rings to Age a Tree + Learn Parts of the Tree Trunk

Your students will learn that a tree’s age can by determined by the growth rings in the tree’s trunk plus they will learn vocabulary for and the locations of the inside parts or anatomy of a tree’s trunk.

tree rings age and parts of the tree trunk

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on them, I may make a tiny commission, at no extra cost to you. For more info, check our privacy policy.

Have you ever wondered how to count the growth rings of a tree to determine its age? Do you count each ring or every two rings? And why are some darker?

You and your kids will learn the vocabulary words of the inner parts of a tree trunk plus practice counting the tree rings age with these worksheets. Then they can look in the woods for a fallen tree to journal about and record in their nature journal.

Resources for Your Nature Study of Tree Trunk Anatomy & Tree Rings Age

Books

The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green (A DK book) is a comprehensive book about trees with terrific graphics

Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids by Gail Gibbons

Tree: Discover the Fascinating World of Trees from Tiny Seeds to Mighty Forest Giants by DK Eyewitness Books

Videos

Tree Anatomy for Middle & High School by Meyer Science This is not a flashy video, but it has solid info!

What is Tree Bark? with Ranger Zak

What’s in the Trunk? with David Attenborough

How to Read Tree Growth Rings by eHow Gardens

How to determine the age of a tree without cutting it down by Fall Line Ridge

How to measure a tree’s height with a stick with South Hero Land Trust

Printables for Your Study of Tree Trunk Anatomy & a Tree Rings Age

This 10-page printable pack has two differentiated levels, one for second to fourth graders, and a more difficult set for fifth to eighth-grade students.

Each Tree Trunk Rings & Anatomy worksheet set has an instructional page with the different parts of the tree trunk labeled. There’s also a blank tree trunk page for your students to write the names of the parts of a tree trunk.

A handy word bank is included for your students, also in two levels.

There are three “Identify the Age of a Tree by its Rings” pages: two pages of examples to practice counting rings and one blank page to reproduce for each tree or log that you encounter in your nature study. The blank page is perfect for a nature journal and is also included in the Tree Nature Journal product.

Download your copy of the Tree Trunk Rings & Anatomy Worksheets from the HHO Shop