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What is a tree ring? What a good question! It might seem like an obvious thing (tree rings tell us how old a tree is, duh!), but in reality there is a lot that goes into tree ring formation and it would do us well to take the time to better understand this remarkable feature of trees. We use trees for just about everything (including hardwood mats), so we might as well know a little more about them. So, back to the question so kindly posed by our insatiably curious imaginary sub-narrator. To understand how tree rings are formed, it’s important that we first learn that trees basically have two types of growth: primary growth and secondary growth. Primary growth actually occurs at the tips of the stems and roots and has the effect of the tree stems and roots growing taller or longer. Secondary growth occurs in the vascular system of the tree (called vascular cambium) and the barky part of the tree (called cork cambium). This type of growth results in the tree growing thicker around the trunk. Within the vascular cambium, phloem composes the outer layer. This is sometimes called inner bark. This tissue conducts food to the various parts of the tree. Xylem, located toward the inside of the cambium layer, essentially serves as the vascular tissue and transports most of the water and minerals throughout the tree.Xylem derives its name from the Greek word, xylon, which means wood. The xylem is, in fact, the woody part of the tree and is produced with more abundance than secondary phloem (which is added toward the outside of the cambium layer). So here is where the magic happens. As the growing season comes to a close, the tree begins to slow reproduction of new material down. As this happens nutrients and minerals move more slowly through the outer layer of growth and begin to stain the material a slightly darker color. This leaves a narrow stain we call a tree ring! Whalla! “So what?” you might be asking. “What does this have to do with my hardwood mats?” Well, first of all, bad attitude; second of all, good question. The reason we care is this: it’s pretty cool. Using tree ring dating, harvesting of hardwood can be a more productive endeavor. Over the years of managing plots, monitoring growth, and using tree ring dating, the science of forestry has allowed it to become a pretty productive thing. This is important when you are building mats made from an organic material like wood. So let all that new and fascinating knowledge marinate for a while up in that fancy brain of yours, and next time you see a tree stump, give your newfound knowledge a test drive and count those rings! Remember the process of growth that went into each of those rings, and next time we come together we’ll dig even deeper into the world of hardwood mats, crane mats, bridge mats, board roads and every other variation of ground stabilization you can dream up. For more info and quality hardwood mats, visit us at http://www.dixiemat.com Hardwood Mats
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