Question

Tree  

Plant   Dear Matthew

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tree_genera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_life_span

Similar to study of animals maximum life span in zoology, can
botanists trace maximum life span of trees ?

For example :

Human Being - 130 years.
Cat - 20 years.
Dog - 25 years.
Tortoise - 150 years
etc

Is it possible to trace and define Maximum Life Span of Trees and Plants ?

Tree examples : Coconut, Banyan, Peepal etc
Plant Examples : Ferns, Vines, Alga etc

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

Answer
The age of trees can be determined with the counting of rings in the wood. Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings for the purpose of age determination of trees. There are published "average life span" estimates for various tree species, but I am unaware if Maximum Life Span studies have been attempted.