Question on dendrochronology

[joerd9]

Hello,

Just out of curiosity, I have a question on dendrochronology. Is it possible to use this method on wood that was petrified (e.g. in a chalky wet cave or something) or do the year rings disappear in the petrification process?

Thanks.

[MrMofo]

wow, good question. I have a BSC in antropology, studied dendro in university, and i had no idea.

but it seems you can. I found this:

In 1929-1930 A.E. Douglas, a pioneer in dendrochronology, was unable to cross-match the rings of the Yellowstone petrified trees on Specimen Ridge.15 Little additional dendrochronological work has been done on petrified trees until recently. In 1979 and 1991 Michael Arct located several small trees in the Specimen Creek forest that had similar bands of distinctive anomalous growth-ring patterns.16 Another report claims to cross-match two trees on the same level on Specimen Ridge.17 Because of the good preservation of the wood tissue, rings are clearly visible and often reveal variable widths suitable for tree-ring studies

[joerd9]

Thanks.