Increment borer for tree age

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Need to establish the age of a tree, haven’t used increment borer previously. +/- £165 to buy. 
 

Anyone with experience in such able to offer any tips or advice?

[Steve Bullman]

Unless it’s a really small tree it’s unlikely it will be much use 

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

1 hour ago, Steve Bullman said:

Unless it’s a really small tree it’s unlikely it will be much use 

Why....?

[Mark J]

I was gifted one. You want a two threaded one for hardwood.

I suspect the reason Steve mentioned the small tree is that an increment borer is about a foot long, so if your tree is >24" diameter, the rest is guesswork.

You might be able to use a resistograph to pick up tree rings.
 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Mark J

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I’ve seen them at Sorbus and here:

 

http://www.richmondsgroundcare.co.uk/index.php/site/productdetail/776/

 

What sort of degree of accuracy do you think you can achieve Mark? @Mark J

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I know it’s a bit like throwing a Greg’s sausage roll at a LA Arb van....

 

 

(anything could happen in the rush to be first....)

 

 

(and, probably the first time they’ve all moved at the same time for months....) 

 

(and the outcome will be entirely arbitrary, random and wholly unreliable....)

 

 

But, here’s the tree - Any takers for age?

 

 

[Mark J]

12 minutes ago, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

I’ve seen them at Sorbus and here:

 

http://www.richmondsgroundcare.co.uk/index.php/site/productdetail/776/

 

What sort of degree of accuracy do you think you can achieve Mark? @Mark J

I wouldn't pin my hopes on getting a core sample that is readable throughout. I reckon hiring in a resistograph for a day would be your best bet for a chance of determining the age of the tree.

I would only use a borer if I wanted to know how solid a tree was or wasn't.  I've been shown how to use a fractometer but haven't had cause to use one.

[Khriss]

5 hours ago, kevinjohnsonmbe said:

Need to establish the age of a tree, haven’t used increment borer previously. +/- £165 to buy. 
 

Anyone with experience in such able to offer any tips or advice?

There is a point..... where core decay or species makes the result meaningless . Hence cannot age veteran Oaks etc. OK fr conifer quality in plantations but otherwise save yr cash monies. K

[Boo Who?]

Is there no info on species v dbh to give some rough guidance?
I know it will very much depend on growing conditions but worth a try

[Dan Maynard]

Is there no info on species v dbh to give some rough guidance?
I know it will very much depend on growing conditions but worth a try

I've never seen it written down but there clearly is, you don't look at a 2ft poplar and think it's 300 years old.

I can't tell the tree species in the picture, so much moss, so total guess from me.

Very, very old indeed.