More about sampling for dendrochronology
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Wood/charcoal samples with the largest possible diameter/perimeter of the tree trunk obtained in cross-section are suitable for dendrochronological studies.
In some cases, the diameter of the trunk is not a reliable factor in deciding whether a wood/charcoal find is suitable for dendrochronological studies.
The most reliable criterion is the number of tree rings in the wood, which in some cases are not clearly visible in the field itself. At least 45 tree rings is the limit that determines whether the sample will be taken for dendrochronological analysis.
If we cannot decide/count this in the field, we still wash the sample, wrap it carefully in PVC film, pack it in an impermeable PVC bag and store it in a cool and dark place.
All samples suitable for dendrochronological analysis and thus protected from drying out are delivered to the Department of Wood Science and Technology at Biotechnical Faculty of University of Ljubljana, to Prof. Katarini Čufar and Assosiate Prof. Maks Merela, who have the most extensive reference collections in Slovenia as well as chronologies for archeological and historical wood.
Wood cleaning; archaeo-wood from the field; surface smoothing; measuring tree rings