Poplar trees in Oregon (IMAGE) Technical University of Munich (TUM) Caption Using trees as a model, researchers of the TUM and of the University of Georgia, USA, have shown for the first time that epimutations accumulate continuously throughout plant development and that this information can be used as a molecular clock to estimate the age of a tree. Credit Robert Schmitz Usage Restrictions Free for use in reporting on TUM, with the copyright noted License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.