Name of Resource: Time and Cycles: Dendrochronology
Climate Change Theme: Climate Variability
Sponsoring Organization: UCAR
Intended use: Learning Activity
Intended audience: Learners
URL: https://scied.ucar.edu/tree-rings

Average Review Ratings (Poor to Excellent, 1-5 scale):

Description: In this exercise, students use tree-ring samples drawn on paper to study how rainfall has varied in a fictional town. The exercise is limited in scope, but I've suggested a few extensions in the teacher tips. (CM)

Summary of Reviews

Reviewer: Carrie Morrill
Comments: The statement 'During wet, cool years, most trees grow more than during hot, dry years and the rings are wider' is a generalization. In some areas, particularly high latitudes or elevations, tree will grow more in warmer years.
Read entire review: link text (Acrobat (PDF) 59kB Jun21 05)

Reviewer: Jack Ganse
Comments: This website presents a simple laboratory activity using simulated tree ring data. Students learn about tree rings and their growth, examine sample tree ring cores, and use the data to explain how the tree's growth and climatic conditions are related. Both a teacher guide and a student guide are included, along with a template for simulated tree ring cores.
Read entire review: link text (Acrobat (PDF) 58kB Jun21 05)