The Birthplace of Dendrochronology
Since 1937, the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research has advanced the science of dating and interpreting tree rings to understand climate, ecosystems, extreme events, and human history.
The Reach of Tree-Ring Science
A single growth ring reflects its environment in the year it formed — so trees preserve a record that connects climate, ecology, and human history across centuries.
Climate & Water
Drought, temperature, & streamflow over centuries
Ecology
Forest growth, dynamics & the history of disturbance
Archaeology
Dating timbers to tell the story of past human societies
Extreme Events
Fires, floods, earthquakes & volcanic eruptions
Solar-Terrestrial
Sunspots & cosmic rays written in the rings
Collection
Almost a million pieces and a century of samples
Touring the Lab
Visit the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research and see our collections and research up close.
