A dendroclimatological analysis of white oak (Quercus alba L.) growth rings from Christy Woods, Muncie, Indiana, with local climatic data

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the usefulness of white oak tree-ring sensitivity to local climatic information. White oak core samples were taken from Christy Woods in Muncie, Indiana. Tree-ring measurements were standardized and summarized using computer programs from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Tucson, Arizona.Low mean sensitivity in each series, and a variance component for the total group chronology of 30.23% indicated that annual growth increments of white oak were less than moderately limited by annual mean growing season precipitation and temperature. It may be inferred that a variety of factors have limited growth diminishing the affects of macroclimatic variations on growth at this site.By use of stepwise multiple regression analysis annual growth increment for the mean chronology was positively correlated to mean growing season precipitation. Annual growth increment was negatively correlated to mean growing season temperature. Only 24% of the total variability in the indices was attributable to the dependence on precipitation and temperature.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 1982