Medallion trees in Sandia Mountains New Mexico, USA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around medallion trees in the Sandia Mountains of New Mexico, focusing on the practice of dendrochronology, which involves removing cores from trees to count growth rings and determine germination dates. The conversation touches on historical research related to tree ring dating and its applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe the process of attaching medallions to trees after removing a core to count growth rings, noting that this method does not harm the tree.
  • One participant mentions a specific example of a tree dated to the year Chaucer began writing the "Canterbury Tales," highlighting the historical significance of dendrochronology.
  • A participant references Carl Fritz's work in the late 1960s on dating logs from ancient hogans on the Navajo Reservation, suggesting that a calendar of tree rings was created from local samples.
  • Another participant questions the terminology used regarding stone hogans, seeking clarification on whether it refers to a specific location in Georgia.
  • One participant provides clarification on the term "hogan," explaining its significance in Navajo culture and its architectural characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion includes some agreement on the historical context of dendrochronology and its applications, but there are also points of clarification and questions that indicate unresolved aspects, particularly regarding terminology and the specifics of historical research.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the origins of specific research in dendrochronology and the terminology used, indicating a need for further clarification on these points.

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https://www.abqjournal.com/1218873/on-the-trail-of-the-medallion-trees.html

Medallions have been attached to trees that have had a core removed. The cores are used to count growth rings, the diameter of the core is a few millimeters and does not hurt the tree. The core can be long, like more than one meter in exceptionally old trees.

The medallion got screwed into the hole after the ring count and the germination date of the tree is determined in the lab. For example the "Canterbury Tales Tree GD 1387" germinated the year Chaucer began writing the Tales. You can google for lists but they often have MIA medallion trees listed. Trees die, get cut down, or blown down.

Ring counting for students: https://serc.carleton.edu/trex/students/labs/lab2_2.html
 
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Carl Fritz then at Northern Arizona Univ, late 1960's - was one of the first to date logs from ancient hogans on the Navajo Reservation. IIRC, the researchers created a 'calendar' of tree rings from a large sample of trees and some logs in the local area on the Defiance Plateau, then compared the data from the stone hogans.

I do not know who did this kind of research first.
 
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Sorry, jim mcnamara, when you write stone hogans, are you talking about Stone Hogan Park, in Fulton County, Georgia?
 
Hogan is a Navajo word for a kind of circular house with one door facing East. These have stone walls, not wooden, which was unusual - also probably why they lasted longer. They dated to the late 1100's early 1200's.

My bad.
 
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