TREE-RING ANALYSIS I Instructions on using the WinDENDRO software and scanner.

TREE-RING ANALYSIS I

Instructions on using the WinDENDRO software and scanner

Simple and Easy Instructions

▪ Prepare sample for scanning

▪ Scan your sample into the software

▪ Input appropriate sample ID and measurement data

▪ Validate the rings detected by the software

▪ If necessary, load data into Excel

Pre-Instructions:

Make sure the scanner glass of the EPSON Perfection V700 Photo Scanner is super clean.

Super carefully place your tree-ring core sample without scratching the glass surface of the EPSON Perfection V700 Photo Scanner .

Not only will small imperfections on the glass affect the accuracy of the software, but the EPSON Perfection V700 Photo Scanner is super-expensive.

Step One:

Open the WinDENDRO software by clicking the icon located in the taskbar.

When opening the software choose the second option that is highlighted [WIA-EPSON Perfection V700/70…] in the Select Source box.

If you do not, then the software will not recognize the scanner.

Step Two:

Click the Acquisition Icon in the Command Area.

The scanner will begin to scan your sample and load it into the software as soon as it warms up- which can take several minutes.

Step Three:

After the data has been transferred…

An image of your tree core sample will appear in the Image area and will need to be measured by first creating a path.

To create a path, move the mouse cursor to the pith (or end of the core that represents the inner most part of the tree) and click on it.

Step Four:

The WinDENDRO Sample Identification box will appear where sample ID and measurement data will be entered.

Enter 0 if the tree age is unknown.

Do enter values for :

Tree IdentificationSite IdentificationTree HeightYear of last ringTree AgeDisk Height

Do not enter values for User Variable, Path Identification or Sample Thickness.

Click OK.

Step Five:

Once the software detects the rings, it will inform you that the data is ready to be saved and then ask if you want to open an existing file or create a new one.

Student files for GEO 309 have been created in the class folder on the Dendro lab computer as shown to the left.

So, go ahead and open your file (Your name_core) to save the data.

Once the data is saved, paths containing the detected rings will be draped over the image of your core sample and the ring width boundaries will be marked with dates.

Step 7:You must now validate the detected rings making sure that what the software has identified as a ring boundary is in fact a real ring.

Because false rings can occur or the position and orientation of ring boundaries may be incorrect , you may have to edit by clicking on the active rings to add, delete, move or reorient a ring boundary.

Data will save automatically as you edit.

A reference series, or chronology can now be developed once the data for the entire class has been uploaded and measured by the software.

*Information obtained from the WinDENDRO 2012 For Tree Analysis Manual (Regent Instruments, Canada Inc.)

The tree ring data is stored as a text file (.txt) file which can be opened as tabular data in Excel.

Open the file in Excel Click finished on the Text Import Wizard using the default configuration

The End