Ferguson, James Montgomery2014-03-142014-03-141979-05-16etd-03242009-040930http://hdl.handle.net/10919/41786A dendrochronological technique was developed. It relies upon developing relative annual ring-width indices, and identifying unusually high yearly agreement in two or more samples. These agreements in the tree growth ring indices are called key years. Statistical procedures are developed for evaluating goodness of fit among sets of tree-ring samples. A study was conducted in Surry County, Virginia which tested methods of analyzing key-year patterns over a wide area. Cross-dating of trees utilizing key-year patterns from living trees and old building timbers was successfully accomplished in Montgomery County, Virginia. Key-year pattern data from both counties were used in a study of the correlation of key-year patterns with the Palmer Drought Index, to the occurrence of forest insect outbreaks, and to forest fires. The results showed a correlation in each case.iv, 52 leavesBTDapplication/pdfIn CopyrightLD5655.V855 1979.F471DendrochronologyTree-ringsThesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03242009-040930/