A Guide to Dendrochronology for
Educators
by Lori Martinez
These Web pages were created to be
used by both teachers and students interested in learning more
about dendrochronology, the study of tree rings. You can use the
information here to supplement a lesson plan or to expand your
basic knowledge of dendrochronology principles. Most of the
images here were scanned using the original wood samples. The
captions beside the pictures contain terminology used by
dendrochronologists when referring to tree-ring
characteristics.
These pages are divided into several major categories that
should answer some of the more common questions regarding
dendrochronology. These include a page that explains in detail
the basic principle of crossdating, a page that illustrates some
basic applications of dendrochronology, and two pages that show
photographs of tree species suitable and unsuitable for tree-ring
dating. I also supply several links to other very useful pages
concerning tree-ring dating from where educators can obtain
additional background informations.
Table of Contents:
Constructed by Lori
Martinez, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, The University of
Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. I wish to thank Rex Adams for being an
understanding and patient mentor throughout my summer of
dendro-enlightenment, and
Henri D. Grissino-Mayer for teaching me to be a little more
computer literate. Both have made my time here at the LTRR fun
and educational. I would like to express my appreciation to Dr.
Malcolm Hughes, Director of the LTRR, for providing me the
opportunity to expand my teaching skills through the hands-on
experience I gained here at the laboratory. I would also like to
acknowledge Martin Munro, Michelle Wood, Phyllis Gress, and Bob
Lofgren. All graphics and text on these pages © 1996 by Lori
Martinez, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, and The University of
Arizona. Last updated February, 2000. All rights reserved.