Crossdating in Dendrochronology

This paper defines and illustrates crossdating, an initial process in dendrochronology or tree-ring work by which accurate ring chronologies may be built for dating purposes, for climatic information, or for certain ecological problems. Here are briefly explained its operation by an efficient method, its principles of interpretation and application, its character as differentiated from correlation, its procedures for reaching assurance in results, its significance as a guide to special sites where certain climatic effects on tree rings can be distinguished, and finally references are given to some of its published discussions. The purpose of this paper is to call the attention of ecologists and others to this fruitful process that carries conviction by tests on well-located trees but whose reality in certain well-assured regions cannot be judged by misinterpretation of material or untechnical treatment of specimens.