The rings that a tree forms in its wood, are a measure of the tree's growth and age.
A new ring is formed each year, so you can tell how old a tree was by counting the rings on the stump.
The size and spacing of the rings relate to the growing conditions during the tree's lifetime.
A series of narrow rings indicates a period of drought or competition from neighboring trees which slowed growth while wide, evenly spaced rings means growing conditions were good.
Fire and insect damage leave scars, and some trees even show scars from animal scratchings.
http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/1996/10/70.html
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