Dendrochronologia

Dendrochronologia, or dendrochronology, is the scientific discipline concerned with dating the year in which each growth ring of a tree formed and with interpreting the environmental information contained in those rings. By examining ring width, density, and isotopic composition in living and dead wood, researchers can establish precise calendar years and infer past climate and ecological conditions.

Core methods include ring counting to determine age, and crossdating, a technique that aligns ring sequences from different trees or timbers by matching distinctive patterns. Master chronologies are built by overlapping many sequences, enabling absolute dating of wood from a wide geographic range. Radiocarbon dating and dendroclimatology are often used to calibrate and interpret the signals.

Historically, dendrochronologia was developed in the early 20th century by A. E. Douglass in the United States and has since become a central tool in archaeology, paleoclimatology, and forestry. It has produced regional and global chronologies that extend back thousands of years in ideal conditions.

Applications include dating wooden artifacts and architectural timbers, ships, and log buildings; reconstructing past climate variations, droughts, and fire histories; and informing ecological and hydrological models. It also contributes to conservation and forensic investigations of timber framing.

Limitations include the need for well-preserved wood with visible rings, varying ring clarity among species, and local growth disturbances that complicate interpretation. The reliability depends on the length and quality of existing master chronologies and may be affected by human tampering or re-cutting.