The most common, most accurate way to find the age of a tree is to count the number of rings visible when their trunk is cut horizontally. Each year, most trees add an extra layer of growth to their trunks. Over time, their trunks get thicker and thicker.

What is the method of dating trees based on their rings?

Crossdating is the most basic principle of dendrochronology. Crossdating is a technique that ensures each individual tree ring is assigned its exact year of formation. This is accomplished by matching patterns of wide and narrow rings between cores from the same tree, and between trees from different locations.

What is the name for the dating of tree rings?

Dendrochronology, or tree ring dating as it is often known, can provide an invaluable insight into the history of a building by revealing the year in which the timbers used in its construction were felled.