Ryan- Not all species add a whorl of branches with each growth year, and not all of those that do, do so 100% dependably. That said, with no other method, counting branch whorls at study site, and comparing the results with similar sites where destructible sampling IS permitted might be a solution.
One of the labs I took at Humboldt (Stem Analysis) involved sectioning (removing 'cookies') at whorls, and midway between them. Might be instructive... -Don Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 19:27:15 -0500 Subject: [ENTS] age of small trees. techniques? From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Hi all, A former advisee of mine has moved on and is now working on a study of forest dynamics on Mount St. Helens. He is working right at tree-line. He would like to age the trees, but he is not allowed to destructively sample (cut) them. The diameter of many of these trees is 50mm. YIKES!! That is small. He asked me for advice on how to do this and I dont have a the foggiest clue. ENTS to the rescue? Best, Ryan _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390707/direct/01/
