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Virginia Tech

The development and application of a technique in dendrochronology

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A dendrochronological technique was developed. It relies upon developing relative annual ring-width indices, and identifying unusually high yearly agreement in two or more samples. These agreements in the tree growth ring indices are called key years. Statistical procedures are developed for evaluating goodness of fit among sets of tree-ring samples. A study was conducted in Surry County, Virginia which tested methods of analyzing key-year patterns over a wide area. Cross-dating of trees utilizing key-year patterns from living trees and old building timbers was successfully accomplished in Montgomery County, Virginia. Key-year pattern data from both counties were used in a study of the correlation of key-year patterns with the Palmer Drought Index, to the occurrence of forest insect outbreaks, and to forest fires. The results showed a correlation in each case.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Entomology
Department dc:contributor.department
Entomology
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1979

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Ferguson, James Montgomery
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Heikkenen, Herman John
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Giles, Robert H. Jr.
  • Pienkowski, Robert L.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-03242009-040930
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/41786

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Ferguson, James Montgomery. The development and application of a technique in dendrochronology. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1979. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/41786