When a tree is called for as a boundary marker it may be difficult to distinguish one tree from another in a wooded area. A calculation of the boundary from record information puts this tree in the vicinity within approximately three feet of position. Given the precision of measurement in earlier times that error is easily understandable.
A much larger parcel of land was subdivided by a deed in 1940 and a corner is given in the description as being a Maple tree. Subsequent deeds up to and including the present all contain the same language and description of the Maple tree. Also, in 1974 a survey was performed and the tree is noted as being a 12” [diameter] Maple tree.
Given the time that has passed, and without cutting the tree down or boring it to determine its age, it is a good assumption that the tree would now be this size. A formula was previously developed and used by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to predict and determine a forestland tree's age.
The ISA formula involves multiplying the “growth factor” of a particular species of tree by the diameter in inches measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. The growth factor of a Silver Maple is 3 making the Maple tree 36 years of age at the time of the 1974 survey. The diameter of the tree being examined is approximately 27 inches making the tree 81 years of age using the same formula. The time that has passed (45 years) is approximately that of the age difference.
