In a message dated 03/01/01 11:40:29 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Would somebody please explain to me how you know when the tree was cut
without having the outermost layer of wood (and therefore the bark) still in
place? I understand how you can determine the sequence of years before it
was cut, but without the bark, how do you know you're not looking at some
sequence long before it was cut? Huh?
Ralph
Ralph-
I know the answer to this one. Truth: some scientists actually sat down and
made charts of ring growth for specific areas and tree types. Looks like the
longest UPC bar code in the world. By matching up the sequences of your piece
of tree with the code - WhaLa! You find which century and years your tree
chunk belongs. Of course it doesn't work in many areas - it is especially
good in the SouthWest - doesn't apply at all in New England (the weather
patterns are too chaotic - a poor tree starts to grow in the warmth of the
spring sun and it suddenly turns back to winter, stops growing and when
spring really gets there, starts a new ring. Since that tree's experience may
be very different from the one 20 mi away, dendrochronology just doesn't make
it - shame really.)
c brashears