Dendrochronology (or tree-ring dating) is the scientific method of dating tree rings (also called growth rings) to the exact year they were formed. As well as dating them, this can give data for dendroclimatology, the study of climate and atmospheric conditions during different periods in history from wood.

Is tree-ring dating a relative method of dating?

A scientific date is either absolute (specific to one point in time) or relative (younger or older than something else). Dendrochronology, or tree-ring dating, provides absolute dates in two different ways: directly, and by calibrating radiocarbon results.