Sheppard, P. R.; Means, J. E.; Lassoie, J. P. 1988. Cross-dating cores as a nondestructive method for dating living, scarred trees. Forest Science. 34(3): 781-789.
ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to validate the use of increment coresfor dating scarred trees as part of fire-history studies. Thirty-seven scarred conifersfrom four sites in the western United States were sampled both by coring andwedging (removing a partial cross section from the scar). For each tree the cores andwedge were analyzed using dendrochronological techniques to determine absolutefire dates, and the core and wedge dates were compared. Twenty-one of the 37 sam-pled trees were successfully dated and had identical core and wedge dates. Givencertain constraints, researchers can effectively cross-date prescar growth fromcores in fire- or other disturbance-history studies, and can accurately date scars withcores when wedge sampling is inappropriate or prohibited. FOR. Sci. 34(3):781-789.
ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS. Fire history, dendrochronology.