how old?

[Gollum]

Gollum,

What if this is a solitary beech and you would assess and monitor the tree species specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi and their successive places in the tree species specific life cycle, would you then be able to estimate the age of the tree ?

My expectation would be, that this beech is predominantly accompanied by generalistic ectomycorrhizal symbionts, meaning the beech has entered the final phase of its life cycle, which would imply, that a beech this big is about 300 years old.

 

Good point.

 

Without specific records of a solitary tree we can only assume.

Quote

tree species specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi and their successive places in the tree species specific life cycle,

 

trees with a shorter life span this may be possible . example Prunus /Malus

but as we are all aware that trees from different provenances can vary if grown in the same location.

and some becoming more susceptible to colonisation of specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi than others.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Good point.

 

Without specific records of a solitary tree we can only assume.

Quote

tree species specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi and their successive places in the tree species specific life cycle,

 

trees with a shorter life span this may be possible . example Prunus /Malus

but as we are all aware that trees from different provenances can vary if grown in the same location.

and some becoming more susceptible to colonisation of specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi than others.

 

blimey mate you learn fast!

[Gollum]

blimey mate you learn fast!

 

You don't know half my pedigree yet.

whippet cross

If you are really good I will let you see my tree records and studies of the last 35 years.

Pre 87 woodland regeneration influx of soil born organisms on green timber

[Adam Bourne]

someone hurry up and reply this is getting interesting....

 

 

Still waiting:confused1:

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

You don't know half my pedigree yet.

whippet cross

If you are really good I will let you see my tree records and studies of the last 35 years.

Pre 87 woodland regeneration influx of soil born organisms on green timber

 

 

Im a good judge of character though, had you sussed from the diagrams in the workshop!

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

that method is utter crap, trees dont grow even rings, not as they age nor from one site to the next are the rings even.

 

there are too many variables in ring growth to asses it based on stem diameter.

 

Thats a little bit harsh!

It is never going to be entirely acurate that'sfor sure , but if you make adjusments to the guestimate for the variables (e.g. species, stage of life, past management etc.) Its not a bad starting point.

To dismiss it as "utter c**p" is not fair on Gollum.

 

Incidentally, has the circumference been measured?

[Fungus]

Without specific records of a solitary tree we can only assume. trees with a shorter life span this may be possible ... example Prunus /Malus ... but as we are all aware that trees from different provenances can vary if grown in the same location ... and some becoming more susceptible to colonisation of specific ectomycorrhizal macrofungi than others.

 

Gollum,

You should have choosen another example, because both Prunus and Malus is associated with endomycorrhizal microfungi . See the short list of ecto- and endomycorrhizal fungi.

[armybloke]

Not withstanding all that has been said because it is ALL valid, but, it is said that you 'could' guage a trees age using the said method of 1 inch per year (blame Mitchell) as a guestimate then using all the variables make a calculated guess. Hama's guess of between 3 and 400 years is a good enough guesstimate and I would accept that with thanks. If, like Gerrit, Hama, Dave and a few others you have the experience and technical information/knowledge then use it - absolutley - but there are mere mortals on here learning the ropes, soaking up information from about 200 seperate messages a day and absorbing what we read in to a coherent fashion trying to imagine all these micro-organisms and the like making our trees lives such a happy place. Give the guy a break....pretty please

[Fungus]

Give the guy a break....pretty please

 

Break granted , but if there is anything you didn't understand (yet), ask for an explanation, because that's what Tony, David and I are here for.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Give the guy a break....pretty please

 

I have met gollum in person, and i am certain he knows that he has my respect and admiration, i doubt he batted an eyelid! Mark has skills and knowledge that I do not, we all have our skills, this is mine.

 

Break granted , but if there is anything you didn't understand (yet), ask for an explanation, because that's what Tony, David and I are here for.

 

Totally, and i will try much MUCH harder to be more sensitive with my replies in future, even with those that ask for it!