Monster Tree Service of Rochester: Bi-monthly Newsletter
New Year, New Wood:
How Trees and Woody Shrubs Grow
As we welcome a new year, it’s the perfect time to look closely at the quiet, steady growth happening right outside our windows. Woody plants — trees and shrubs — might seem static, but beneath their bark, remarkable processes are at work that allow them to thrive year after year.
What Makes a Tree Woody?
Woody plants differ from herbaceous (non-woody) plants in one key feature: the presence of wood. This wood is made primarily of lignified xylem cells, which give stems and trunks strength and durability. Unlike herbaceous plants that die back to the ground each year, woody plants persist, adding layers of wood that allow them to grow taller and wider over time.
How Trees Grow
Tree growth happens in two main ways:
Primary Growth: Occurs at the tips of roots and shoots, allowing the tree to grow taller or longer. It’s driven by the meristem, a specialized tissue that produces new cells.
Secondary Growth: Happens in the vascular cambium, a thin layer just beneath the bark. It produces new xylem (wood) inward and phloem (bark) outward, increasing the tree’s girth.
The energy for this growth comes from stored nutrients (often from the previous year) as well as photosynthesis from the current season. Trees can tap into stored starches, sugars, and minerals to support early spring growth before leaves fully develop.
The Inner Workings of Wood
Wood is more than just a solid mass — it’s a complex structure that supports the tree and transports nutrients. Xylem cells provide both tensile strength (resisting pulling forces) and compressive strength (resisting squashing forces). Trees produce specialized wood in response to gravity or leaning:
- Compression wood forms on the lower side of leaning conifers.
- Tension wood forms on the upper side of leaning hardwoods.
- Fast vs. Slow Growth: What It Means for Tree Structure
Not all trees grow at the same pace. The rate at which a tree produces new wood impacts its structure and overall health:
Fast-growing species (like silver maple) add large amounts of wood each year — softer, less dense wood that may break more easily in storms.
Slow-growing species (like oak) add wood more gradually — tight rings and dense wood that supports a stable structure.
Knowing whether your tree is a fast or slow grower helps you understand its vigor and anticipate pruning needs.
Aging a Tree
Understanding a tree’s age gives insight into its history, health, and growth patterns. Common methods include:
- Counting rings on the trunk: Visible annual rings can tell age.
- Using an increment borer: A tool to extract a small wood core and reveal growth rings.
- Branch growth patterns: Internodal spacing (distance between buds) can indicate vigorous or stressed growth.
Observing Growth in Your Yard
You can observe tree growth without lab tools — look at twigs and buds. Internode spacing (distance between last year’s leaf or bud scars) tells a story of growth:
- Long, evenly spaced internodes — healthy growth.
- Tight or irregular internodes — possible stress (drought, poor soil, pests).
Monster Tree Service of Rochester encourages homeowners to watch for these signs and better understand tree needs.
Silver Maple Tree Highlight
Species: Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
- Life span: ~100–130 years
- Mature height: 50–70 ft
- Spread: ~30–50 ft
- Leaves: Simple, opposite, medium green with silvery underside
- Bark: Smooth gray (young), furrows with age
- Flowers: Small reddish-purple in early spring
- Fruit: Winged samaras carried by wind
Fun fact: Silver maple wood has historically been used for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments — valued for its light color though softer weight.
Need to Know:
Silver maples develop long, surface roots that can lift sidewalks or compete for water. Give them space to spread naturally.
Ask the Arborist
Q: Why is it important for an arborist to know the tree species before making cuts?
A: Different tree species react differently to cutting. Some woods are brittle; others are dense. Knowing the species helps choose the right technique so the tree can heal cleanly.
Q: How can observing annual twig growth help diagnose stress before it shows in the canopy?
A: Internode distance reveals growth levels and early stress signs like drought or root damage — a useful early warning.
Monster in the Neighborhood
Many tree issues begin underground where roots grow and compete for space, air, and nutrients. Fast-growing trees, such as maples, often develop shallow, wide-spreading roots that help them establish quickly. This can lead to adventitious or girdling roots — roots that grow around or above the natural root flare of the trunk and eventually restrict water and nutrient flow. In contrast, slower-growing trees tend to form more stable, deeper root systems. To better understand and address these issues, Monster Tree Service of Rochester uses air spading and root collar excavation. These methods gently remove soil using compressed air, allowing arborists to inspect the root structure without causing harm. By uncovering and correcting problems like buried root flares or compacted soils, we improve long-term health and contribute to a safer, greener community.