An Introduction to Dendrochronology
Jodi Sparks, BS & MA in Biology and Geography from Indiana State University
Dendrochronology is the science or technique of dating events, environmental change, and archaeological artifacts by using the characteristic patterns of annual growth rings in timber and tree trunks. Jodi Sparks, whose master’s thesis was on dendrochronology, will introduce us to this interesting topic.
Her talk will review the different tree ring types, how samples are collected using different tools, preparing the cores and wood samples and how trees recover after being cored. She’ll discuss setting up a site chronology and examples of skeleton plotting and then explain how the tree rings sizes are then interpreted into scientific knowledge such as climate changes, frequency of fires, or dates of structures, etc.
Meet in Si Lounge, Sieben Hall, Mount St. John. Please park in Lot C.