Tree rings can date historic structures and other objects of archaeological interest.
At CTRS, we have used tree rings to date over 40 historic structures in the eastern U.S., Canada, and beyond. Notable historic homes include the Nathan Boone Home (Ash Grove, Mo.), the Pierre Menard Home (Ellis Grove, Ill.), and the Pierre DeLasuss House (Ste. Genevieve, Mo.).
Typically, a wood sample is either cut from the end of a structural beam or a core is extracted using specialized drilling equipment. The ring-width patterns from the timbers are matched to tree-ring records from nearby forests, allowing us to determine the absolute year of being cut. Usually, timbers must be from a long-lived tree species such as oak, pine, or cedar and have at least 60 rings to be dateable.
Combining Tree Rings & Radiocarbon Dating
In some cases, it is possible to combine radiocarbon dating with tree-ring crossdating. Recently, this combined dating approach allowed us to date earth-mound structures at a Pawnee village archaeological site in the central Great Plains.
Download Report of Pawnee VillageForensic Investigations
Tree rings have potential application in forensic investigations. We have been able to use data from tree rings to assist in criminal investigations including timber theft (matching stolen logs to stumps on victim’s property), accidents involving wood, and timing and effects of past events (e.g., fence building, pollution).