Tree-Ring Dating of Historic Buildings in Arkansas

Abstract

Twenty-four historic log and frame buildings in Arkansas have been dated by dendrochronology. The derived historic chronologies, ranging from A.D. 1598 to 1911, have improved and extended existing modern tree-ring chronologies for the state. Dated species are southern yellow pine (Pinus sp.), white oak (Quercus sp.), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), and baldcypress (Taxodium distichum L. Rich). Three chronological studies integrating tree-ring, architectural, and documentary evidence offer examples of the relationship between tree-ring dates and historic records and demonstrate significant contributions which dendrochronology can make in the management of historic properties. Historic tree-ring collections should prove important in developing long term tree-ring chronologies in the eastern United States, due to widespread exploitation of living trees, the lower average age for many eastern species, and the availability of high quality tree-ring records in early historic structures.