Tree-Ring Research in Ireland

Abstract

Tree-ring studies started in the Palaeoecology Laboratory in 1968. The impetus for the work was provided by the large amount of sub-fossil oak and pine that was brought to our notice by archaeological excavation and road construction. Sample preparation and ring measurement techniques were developed and crossdating was demonstrated in some of the sub-fossil material. A program of field collection was started and a research assistant employed on the laboratory treatment of samples. Good crossdating over a wide area was then established for both oaks and pines, demonstrating an overriding climatic influence on tree growth even under bog conditions. A number of floating sequences in excess of 500 years length have been constructed and timbers have been found from every half millenium back to 8000 radiocarbon years before present. Over 1400 timber samples have been collected and a large amount of material remains to be collected.