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How can the age of a tree be determined?

  1. By measuring the height of the tree

  2. By counting the number of leaves in a year

  3. By observing the number of annual growth rings

  4. By analyzing the color of the bark

The correct answer is: By observing the number of annual growth rings

The age of a tree can be accurately determined by observing the number of annual growth rings found in a cross-section of its trunk. Each ring represents one year of growth, so counting these rings provides a clear indication of the tree's age. As the tree grows, it adds a layer of wood each year, and these layers can vary in thickness depending on environmental conditions like water availability and soil quality. This information illustrates not only the age of the tree but also its growth patterns throughout different years. Measuring the height of the tree does not provide any information about its age, as various factors such as species and environmental conditions can cause trees of different ages to reach similar heights. Counting the number of leaves in a year would also be ineffective because leaf production can vary significantly from year to year and does not correlate with age. Analyzing the color of the bark is not a reliable method either, as bark color changes can occur due to other factors unrelated to the tree's age. Thus, growth rings are the most direct and reliable way to determine a tree's age.