The Life Stages Of A Tree March 18th 2018
Formative – At this stage a tree will use most of its energy on growth. Its size increases rapidly from seedling to maturity. The trees crown size increases until it reaches full maturity.
Full to late Maturity – The tree has grown to its optimal size; food produced by its leaves will be the same each year. The increased volume of wood becomes constant.
Ancient (veteran stage) – The tree continues to increase in width, but the crown dies back decreasing leaf area and dead/decayed wood increases, this is called retrenchment. The balance between woody tissue and leaves changes in favour of woody tissue.
