why do trees have rings for how old they are?

Question

I understand that how many rings they have is how old they are but why do they have and get the rings in the first place

In: 30

Answer 1

It only really happens in places where there are defined seasons. The rings occur when growth slows down during the winter, with colder/more adverse conditions creating a darker section. During the summers, when conditions are good, the trees grow faster, making a thicker, lighter section. The contrast between summer-light and winter-dark sections creates the rings, with each one marking a seasonal cycle, equivalent to one year.