The mopane tree, Colophospermum mopane, a central component of southern African ecosystems, is commercially over-harvested for timber. To project the future of this ecosystem’s stability, collecting age and growth rate data of these trees is essential. This study will utilize high resolution profiles of stable oxygen (18O/16O) isotopes to determine the age and growth rate of Colophospermum mopane. Wood samples of 15 um thickness were collected using a sliding microtome, and were then treated to extract cellulose. The cellulose was then analyzed for stable oxygen isotope ratios using a TC/EA (high temperature conversion elemental analyzer) connected to a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer. We expect the oxygen isotope ratios to show annual cycles, similar to what has been found in other tropical trees. The annual cycles will then allow determination of the growth rate of the trees, providing important information for sustainable silviculture. In addition, the oxygen isotope ratios can be used as a proxy for past environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature, precipitation, and humidity, allowing for paleoclimatic reconstruction. As deforestation threatens the environment, forest dynamics analysis will be crucial for the establishment of sustainable silvicultural regulation and preserving our forests.