Secrets of Tree Growth

A tree starts from a seed. Once the seed takes root, a stem grows out of the ground, and it slowly becomes a tree. How long it takes to grow to its full height depends on many things—most importantly the type of tree. There are thousands of kinds of trees. And each grows at its own speed.

For example, white oaks need tens of years to reach their full height. But they can live for up to 600 years. Gray birches reach full height in about 10 years but only live for 20 years.

Coast redwoods grow fast, and live long. Young ones can grow over 3 feet a year. Fully grown, they can grow over 300 feet tall. They can live for over 1,000 years.

Why do trees become fully grown differently? Each kind of tree gets used to its own home. A tree grows in certain kinds of soil and among certain animals and other plants. A tree may grow fast or slow, or tall or short, because those ways of growing help it continue to live in its home. Bad weather can also influence how it grows.

If trees get what they need, they usually reach full height before they're halfway through life. After that, their trunks, roots, and branches get wider. So a tree is always growing and changing. That's amazing!