Summary
A special chronology for the interval 1856–1980 AD has been obtained from consecutive ring width ratios of about twenty pine trees (Pinus pinea L.) of the Ravenna Pine Forest. The pines grow on humid soil and on the Northern limit of their distribution area. The trees were selected from different positions and in different conditions of health, age and environment. This chronology shows clear and consistent correlation with the winter severity as evaluated by the monthly minimum average temperature of the years considered. From the results obtained, we are able to establish that a decrease (increase) of 1 °C causes a (13 ± 1)% decrease (increase) in the tree ring width, considered on a year to year basis. In particular all winters in North-East Italy, mentioned as severe in historical documents, correspond to negative peaks of our chronology.
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Galli, M., Guadalupi, M., Nanni, T. et al. Ravenna pine trees as monitors of winter severity in N-E Italy. Theor Appl Climatol 45, 217–224 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00866195
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00866195