File:Dendrochronology.jpg

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Image title	"Dendrochronology is the analysis of tree rings, including the dating of annual rings and study of patterns of ring characteristics, such as widths, density, and isotopic composition. In mid- to upper latitudes, or areas where there is seasonality in temperature and/or precipitation, many species of trees form annual growth rings. Because the same set of environmental factors influence tree growth throughout a region, the patterns of ring characteristics, such as ring widths, are often common from tree to tree. These patterns can be matched between trees in a process called crossdating, which is used to assign exact calendar year dates to each individual ring. Dated and measured rings from a number of trees in a region are combined to form a tree-ring chronology. The chronology provides two main types of information:∑ The chronology can be used as a tool for dating events that caused tree death or a marked change in the appearance of a ring or set of rings. The death date can be used to date the tree cutting involved in the construction of wooden dwellings. Scars can record the timing of events such as fire, flood, avalanche, or other geomorphological events, while sequences of suppressed or larger rings record events such as insect infestation, effects of pollution, or changes in forest dynamics. ∑ The chronology is an average of coherent variations in growth from a number of trees. It enhances the common pattern of variation or ìsignalî -- usually related to climate -- while the non-common variance, or ìnoiseî is dampened. Chronologies from trees that are sensitive to climate can be used to reconstruct past variations in seasonal temperature, precipitation, drought, streamflow, and other climate-related variables."
Pixel composition	RGB
Orientation	Normal
Horizontal resolution	550 dpi
Vertical resolution	550 dpi
Color space	sRGB
IIM version	2
Source	University of Arizona
Short title	tree02
Headline	Extending a chronology based on living trees further back in time through crossdating.
Supplemental categories	Tree Rings