We missed you at our Garden Gathering this week!
This week’s Garden Gathering was all about dendrochronology, aka reading tree rings. If you couldn’t make it this week you can still participate at home!
Remember we have our Garden Gathering events every Friday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. We’ll post regularly about what’s happening in all the YDL gardens and when Garden Gatherings are cancelled due to rain, check back for supply kits you can use at home.
What can you learn from tree rings?
Many different types of scientists use dendrochronology to help them figure out dates. For example, archaeologists can figure out when wood used to build old houses and ships was cut down by analyzing the tree rings on those pieces of wood. This gives us a pretty good estimate of when those structures were built.
Use the tools linked below and examine some tree slices
Today we’re going to look at some tree slices and try to piece together the history behind them.
First pick out a tree slice to work with. There are pictures of some of our tree rings attached below. Pick whichever one looks the most interesting to you. If you need a bigger picture, simply click on the photo. You can also right click the photo and download it if you want to print out your tree ring.
If you’re ever near YDL-Whittaker, stop by the garden and look for tree slices from UM’s Matthaei Botanical Garden/Gaffield Children’s Garden we have our loose parts nature play bins!
After you pick your slice, scroll to the bottom of this page and download the writing activity and the informational tree ring flyer. Read the flyer and answer the writing questions. The diagram below should help you examine some of the main features of your tree ring.
