Measure a tree with a hug
Use arms, string and steps to work out which tree in your street is the oldest.
Foresters guess a tree age from how far round it is. Your child can do the same sum, with a hug and a piece of string.
What you need
- A long piece of string or wool
- A tape measure if you have one
- Paper and a pencil
How to do it
- 1
Choose three trees, one skinny and one fat and one in between.
- 2
Wrap the string round each trunk at chest height and mark the length with your fingers.
- 3
Lay the string out flat and measure it, or count how many hand spans long it is.
- 4
Every 2.5 centimetres round is roughly one year of growing, so divide to guess the age.
- 5
Write your guesses down and decide which tree was here before your house was built.
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