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.
Since these pages went online, 
people have visited these pages.
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 18 December,
1996. All rights reserved.