Benjamin M. Wouden and Dr. Matthew F. Bekker – Assistant Professor of Geography
Tree-ring dating, also known as dendrochronology, is an important measure in determining the age of trees. Dendrochronology, is essentially, “the study of tree life,” a study of annual rings in trees. It is a science used to provide chronological and environmental data to determine specific characteristics of a given tree, including its age (Nash, 243). On August 29, 2005, The Daily Herald published an article stating, local historians believe to have discovered the oldest building ever constructed in Pleasant Grove (Armstrong, A1). However, their conclusion was an assumption based on historical records. In order to obtain a more precise construction date, an examination of the cabin itself will provide the answer.
Dendrochronology is a high-precision tool that may unambiguously determine the exact cutting year of the timbers used in the construction the cabin. Denrochronology has been used successfully for many applications. Several of these applications include determining the cutting dates for other significant historical buildings, such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia (Cook, 9), Ocean Halls in Maryland (Heikkennen, 9), and most recently a study conducted by Dr. Bekker, my faculty mentor, on the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The use of dendrochronology in this project is necessary because it will provide the actual cutting date of the cabin, and a history of lower elevation vegetation growth in Pleasant Grove. From this a history of vegetation growth in Pleasant Grove may be established.
My primary goal in this research project was to use standard methods of tree-ring dating to determine the exact cutting date of the Pleasant Grove cabin, and to determine the historical significance of its existence. To complete my analysis, 30 core samples were extracted from the cabin timbers. In order to extract these samples, I used an electric drill and an increment bore bit to extract each sample from the cabin. Following the extraction, each sample was mounted and sanded to prepare for an analysis at the cellular level. Each sample was cross-dated and measured using a microscope, a digital “quick-chek” measuring instrument, and a computer with the program Measure J2X. In order to provide an accurate measurement of each sample, each tree-ring was measured and recorded, beginning with the inter-most ring. Once all of the samples were measured, I used Measure J2X and Cofetcha to statistically match up each sample. And finally, these samples where compared with existing data to determine the exact cutting date of each sample used in the construction of the cabin.
The finding on the construction date of the cabin was encouraging. With a comparative analysis of the cabin and previous studies conducted on samples taken form Electric Lake, Deseret Peak, Hidden Peak, and the Salt Lake Tabernacle, each comparison provided the same result. From these comparisons I was able to determine that the cabin in Pleasant Grove was constructed in 1889, which is approximately 30 to 40 years later than local historians had concluded with their historical analysis.
Even though the cabin was built 30 to 40 years later than what local historians determined, this analysis provides enlightening information about its historical significance in Pleasant Grove. The first settlers of Pleasant Grove arrived in 1849 due to a conflict with Native Americans, but settlers did not officially inhabit Pleasant Grove until 1850 (Olsen, Utah History Encyclopedia). As settlers arrived in Pleasant Grove they constructed impermanent cabins to dwell in; however, from my research, I discovered that this was not the first cabin constructed in Pleasant Grove. Even though some of the samples were cut between the 1860s and 70s, the majority of the samples have cutting dates between the years 1887 and 1889, meaning that the cabin was not assembled until 1889. In comparing my data with historical data on Pleasant Grove, I have determined that this cabin was not the first to be built in Pleasant Grove.
Although the end result of this project turned out to be significant, there were some complications that occurred during the process of this analysis. The largest obstacle I was faced with in this project was when Dr. Bekker and I went to extract samples from the Pleasant Grove cabin on September 20, 2005, for the first time, we could not extract a high-quality sample from the cabin due to the cold, rainy weather. It was not until May 12, 2006 that we able to obtain 15 samples. Then in September 2006, I was able to conclude my sampling by obtaining 17 more samples to provide an appropriate amount of samples for my research.
Overall, this experience was enjoyable because it allowed me to complete a research process form beginning to end, beginning with the writing of a proposal, to collecting data, analyzing the data, to make conclusions, and finally to make a record of my conclusions. In addition, I have learned what it takes to fulfill the motto of Brigham Young University, “Enter to Learn, and Go Forth to Serve,” to make learning a tool for service, and in return to make service a means to learn. This project has allowed me to learn more about tree-rind dating, and to provide the city of Pleasant Grove with information about this cabin, but more importantly a key to the history of their city.
References Cited
- Armstrong, B., Warnock, C. 2005. Historians deem log cabin PG’s first. Daily Herald, August 29, 2005, pp. A1, A3.
- Cook, E. R., Callahan, W. 1992. The development of a Standard Tree-Ring Chronology for Dating Historical Structures in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Unpublished Report, Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, pp. 1-21.
- Heikkenen, H. J., Edwards, M. R. 1983. The Key-year dendrochronology technique and its application in dating historic structures in Maryland. APT, Vol. 15(3), pp. 3-27.
- Fritts, H.C. 1976: Tree rings and climate. London, New York: Academic Press.
- Nash, S. E. 2002. Archaeological Tree-ring dating at the Millennium. Journal of Archaeological Research, Vol. 10(3), pp. 243-257.
- Olsen, B. R., Pleasant Grove, Utah. Utah History Encyclopedia, http://www.media.utah.edu/ UHE/p/PLEASANTGROVE.html