Longleaf Pine in the Low Countries

Among the species used for dendrochronology in the Low Countries, pine from the North American continent represents a small and possibly overlooked subset. Southern Yellow Pine is the collective name for a number of pine species (Pinus spp.) of which long leaf pine (P. Palustris Mill.) is of prime importance. The wood anatomy of longleaf pine is easily confused with the far more common Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Additionally, longleaf pine did not appear in the Low Countries until relatively recently, meaning it can be found in objects which can be dated through other means than dendrochronology, typically archival sources. In this study we present a chronology for longleaf pine, as well as its distinguishing (wood anatomical) features, application and provenance details to enable further research into the scope of this trans-Atlantic timber trade.

在低地国家用于树轮年代学 (Dendrochronology) 的树种类群中，北美原产松类属于体量较小且可能被忽视的子类群。南方黄松（Southern Yellow Pine）是多种松属（Pinus spp.）树种的统称，其中长叶松（Pinus palustris Mill.）为其中最为重要的物种。长叶松的木材解剖特征极易与更为常见的欧洲赤松（Pinus sylvestris L.）相混淆。此外，长叶松传入低地国家的时间相对较晚，这意味着其常出现在可通过非树轮年代学手段（通常为档案资料）进行断代的器物中。本研究构建了长叶松的树轮年代序列，并阐明了其标志性（木材解剖学）特征、应用场景及材源细节，以期为进一步探究该跨大西洋木材贸易的规模提供助力。