• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to conduct the species identification and tree-ring dating of Lotus Pedestal of the Amitabha Statue at Ssangbong-Temple in Hwasun. The six wood blocks used for the Lotus Pedestal were hard pines (Pinus spp.; diploxilon) except one piece which was ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.). The lotus leaves surrounding the pedestal body were also made of ginkgo. Tree-ring patterns of 3 blocks were synchronized and a 133 years chronology was made. The chronology was crossdated well with the master chronology of Japanese red pine in South Korea. It dated back to A. D. 1551~1683, i.e. the last ring dated A. D. 1683. Through the estimation of the number of sapwood rings removed during carving, the felling year was calculated A. D. $1704{\pm}10$. The calligraphic writing on the Pedestal indicated that this statue was made in A. D. 1694. Therefore, the accuracy of the tree-ring dating has been proven.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.700-708
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• 2019

To verify the possibility of using resistograph to estimate the age of big old living trees, we selected three Zelkova serrata and seven Pinus densiflora in Goesan. The mean diameters at breast height of Z. serrata and P. densiflora were 102 (92-116) cm and 80 (65-110) cm, respectively. The heights measured from the ground using a resistograph ranged at 1.2-4.3 m and 0.6-1.1 m for Z. serrata and P. Densiflora, respectively. The most appropriate needle speed to determine tree-ring boundaries for measuring ring width was 1500 r/min for both tree species. Alternatively, the suitable feed speeds for Z. serrata and P. densiflora were 50 cm/min and 150 cm/min, respectively. From the measured data, the mean numbers of tree rings of Z. serrata and P. densiflora were 57 (43-68) and 104 (93-124), respectively, and the mean tree-ring widths were 4.27 mm (3.18-5.09 mm) and 2.93 mm (2.32-3.34 mm), respectively. A comparison between the time series of tree-ring widths by resistograph and that from the local master chronologies tallied for the heartwood part. Finally, this study showed that resistograph can be used to estimate tree ages when a local master chronology is available.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2021

This study aimed to conduct tree-ring dating and analysis of the materials used for the wooden coffins excavated from the ruins of Sipjeong-dong, Incheon. The tree species for the 10 wooden coffin materials was identified as pine. For accurate tree-ring measurement, the cross section was polished using sandpaper. The annual ring width was measured with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Since the five materials were consistent with each other in dendrochronology, a representative annual ring chronology of 83 years was prepared. The prepared representative annual ring chronology was compared with the standard annual ring chronology, and the outermost ring of the wooden coffin was confirmed to correspond to the year 1575, suggesting that the wooden coffin was produced in the late 16th century. In addition, microscopic observation and FT-IR analysis revealed that the fibers attached to the surface of the wooden coffin were fibroin (Silk), and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Py-GC/MS analysis showed that the paint left on the surface of the wooden coffin was lacquer.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2017

This study aimed at more precisely estimating the age of big old trees using dendrochronological method. Gesan-gun in Chungbuk (CBGS), Gurye-gun in Jeonnam (JNGR) and Uljin-gun in Gyeongbuk (GBUJ) were study areas and Zelkova serrata (ZS) and Pinus densiflora (PD) selected as protected trees therein were used as experimental tree species. The increment cores were extracted from 12, 8, and 6 ZSs and 10, 3, and 9 PDs in CBGS, JNGR, and GBUJ, respectively, using an increment borer (${\phi}5.2mm$). In order to clearly distinguish tree-ring boundary, the surface in the transverse section was cut for ZS using a sliding microtome and sanded for PD using a sand paper. Ring widths were measured in the resolution of 0.01 mm. Based on the measurement values, 203-year long (1813-2015) ZS local master tree-ring chronologies were successfully established and 175-year long (1841-2015) ZS local master tree-ring chronology for JNGR was also successfully established. In the case of PD, 154-, 175-, and 250-year long local master tree-ring chronologies for CBGS, JNGR, and GBUJ were successfully established, respectively. In the comparisons between local master tree-ring chronologies, they showed low t-values and Glks. According to the comparisons of the local master tree-ring chronologies with 50-year (1950~2000) average temperature and precipitation distribution maps, the annual variations of local master tree-ring chronologies seem to be determined by not temperature but precipitation. For such cross-dating therefore more local master tree-ring chronologies have to be established at the least based on the distribution map for precipitation.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2022

To analyze the relationship between climatic factors (mean monthly temperature and total precipitation) and tree-ring growths of Pinus densiflora S. et Z. from National Parks (according to region) of the Korea, 20 trees were sampled from 13 National Parks. Only trees that were successfully cross-dated were used for dendrochronological analysis, and at least 11 trees were included. The tree-ring chronology of Mt. Bukhan (covering the shortest period of 1917 - 2016 [100 years]) was assessed, as well as that of Mt. Seorak (covering the longest period of 1687 - 2017 [331 years]). After cross-dating, each ring width series was double-standardized by first fitting a logarithmic curve and then a 50-year cubic spline. The relationships between climate and tree-ring growth were calculated with response function analysis. The results show a significant positive correlation between a given year's February-March temperature, May precipitation levels, and tree-ring growth. It indicates that a higher temperature in early spring and precipitation before cambium activity are important for radial growths of Pinus densiflora in the Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Six pine trees (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) at the Euilimji Lake Park in Jecheon were collected to investigate tree ages, growth decline pattern and the years of death. Tree-ring measurement was carried out using the Lintab with a resolution of 0.01mm. Tree age were 80-176 years. Cross-dating between the tree-ring series of each tree and the local chronology from Worak Mountain resulted that four and two trees died in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Three dead trees had only formed earlywood in the outermost tree ring and the others had incomplete latewood. Therefore, it was proven that the former trees died between spring and early summer, whereas the later ones died during late summer and/or autumn. The simultaneous deaths of trees suggest the insect damage and/or drought may be the crucial reason of the death, but frequent reaction woods, which were formed by leaning stem, and scars formed by physical damage may also contribute to the death.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.515-525
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• 2016

The Palsangjeon Pagoda is a five-story wooden building in the Beopjusa Temple area in the Songnisan national park in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. According to historical records, it was constructed in either AD 1605 or AD 1626. To specify the construction year more precisely, we took 41 wood samples for tree-ring analysis during repair actions in 2013; 28 from red pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.), 12 from oak (Quercus spp.), and 1 from fir (Abies spp.). The tree-ring boundaries became clearly visible by smoothing their cross-sectional surface and the tree-ring widths were measured under a stereo microscope. All tree-ring series were compared with each other to establish mean chronologies, which we then compared with local master chronologies established using tree rings collected from wooden elements of the Daeungjeon Hall which is the main building in the Beopjusa Temple area. As a result, it was verified that the red pines were felled in AD 1624 and in AD 1851. Moreover, it was verified that the oaks were also felled in AD 1624 based on cross-dating with the red pine chronology. We concluded that the Palsangjeon Wooden Pagoda was constructed in AD 1626, as mentioned in the historical record (Daeungdaekwangmyeongjeonbulsangki, 1630) and the letters on a purlin on the $4^{th}$ story, using oak and red pine felled in AD 1624 and repaired later on using red pine felled in AD 1851.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2000

A hundred wooden foundation piles were found underground during reconstruction for Heungreamun after removing ex-Chosunchongdokbu (ex-Government General of Chosun) building, which was built in 1916, at Kyungbok Palace in Seoul. It is known that larch piles had been collected from the Yaru area near Mt. Baekdu (Changbai). in North Korea. We examined 15 piles for identification of the species and their tree-ring structure. The species is identified as Larix gmelini by microscopic observation. Average diameter of the piles was 27 cm and average age 103 years. We obtained 151 year tree-ring chronology. However, we could not date the exact cutting years because there was no reference chronology yet. When we can obtain chronologies from living trees near the Yaru area, we could make a absolute and longer chronology for studying past history and environments around Mt. Baekdu.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2012

We present the species and the dendrochronological dates of Korean traditional furniture in Forest Museum Collection of Korea National Arboretum. Seven of thirteen were successfully dated. Chest with a flap door (84-55-1) was dated A. D. 1623. Others dated were cabinet (83-41-1: A. D. 1759), Chest with a turnover door (83-39-1; A. D. 1801), Cabinet with two horizontal section (88-39; A. D. 1843), Rice chest (82-27-3; A. D. 1849), Cabinet with two horizontal section (83-40-2; A. D. 1877), Chest with a flap door (84-50; A. D. 1918). Most of existing cabinets were made in 1800s. The 84-55-1 chest was one of the earliest pieces of furniture in the collections of Korea museums. The furniture is usually composed one species. The major species was Pinus densiflora. Bedside cabinet (83-41-1) and Cabinet with two horizontal section (88-39) were made from Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis). Becasue they were dated by the tree-ring chronology of Mt. Bekdu, the timber of their boards could be from the area of Mt. Bekdu.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.550-565
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• 2021

This study's objective was to conduct species identification and tree-ring dating of wooden elements used in Mungyeong Juheulgwan of Joryeong (Gate No. 1). Of the 84 wooden elements evaluated, 76 were confirmed to be hard pines, 5 were soft pines, and 3 belonged to Abies spp. For tree-ring dating, cores of the wooden elements were collected using a drill, and ring-width plots of individual samples were constructed using the TSAP software. The results of performing tree-ring dating for the outermost ring of 59 hard pine wooden elements revealed the following 4 felling dates: summer of 1708-late fall of 1709, summer of 1792-early spring of 1794, late fall of 1838-early spring of 1840 and 1867, and early spring-fall of 1872. These felling dates were found to be consistent with those in the construction and repair records of the Annals of Joseon Dynasty, Juhulgwan Jungsugi, and those engraved on Juhulgwan Walls. It is believed that some of the wooden materials harvested at that time were stored and used since there was a difference of approximately10 years between the repair records and felling dates.