Gigapixel macro photography of tree rings 

Suggested Citation 
Griffin, Daniel; Porter, Samantha T; Trumper, Matthew L; Carlson, Kate E; Crawford, Daniel J; Schwalen, Daniel; McFadden, Colin H. (2021). Gigapixel macro photography of tree rings. Retrieved from the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota, https://doi.org/10.13020/rep3-nf86. 

Persistent link to this item https://doi.org/10.13020/rep3-nf86 

Keywords digital imaging, archiving, data development, computational photography, quantitative wood anatomy 

Collection period  2020-04-15 to 2020-04-15
Date completed  2020-04-15

Published Date 2021-04-16

Authors 
Griffin, Daniel 
Porter, Samantha T 
Trumper, Matthew L 
Carlson, Kate E 
Crawford, Daniel J 
Schwalen, Daniel 
McFadden, Colin H 

Group 
University of Minnesota Griffin Research Lab
University of Minnesota Advanced Imaging Service for Objects and Spaces

Author Contact Griffin, Daniel (griffin9@umn.edu)

Type Dataset, Field Study Data

Abstract  High quality specimen digitization is becoming standard across the sciences, is relevant for curation of natural history collections, and must become a priority for dendrochronology. Here, ultra-high resolution images of tree-ring specimens are presented. Our gigapixel images of polished specimens have proven effective for digital analyses, archiving, and education, and we believe macro photography may prove a lower cost and more broadly accessible digitization alternative to microtomy and X-rays. We advocate for gigapixel macro photography as one accessible and adaptable paradigm to elevate reflected light imaging standards in dendrochronology.

Description  Two ultra-high resolution images of tree rings are available as TIFF files. Tree-ring specimens are Pseudotsuga macrocarpa from California and Quercus macrocarpa from Minnesota sampled in June 2016 and March 2019, respectively. These gigapixel macro photographs were created using a professional-grade camera body, the GigaMacro imaging system, and computational post-processing. Image comparison from a flatbed scanner and the GigaMacro system are shown (Figure 1), and visual aids illustrate the mechanics of gigapixel macro photography (Figure 2). Specific questions about these tree-ring images and about access to additional materials may be addressed to Daniel Griffin (griffin9@umn.edu).

Funding information  Sponsorship: National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology, Award: 1655144; National Science Foundation Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Award: 1602633; National Science Foundation Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Award: 1903504

Referenced by Griffin, D., Porter, S. T., Trumper, M.L., Carlson, K.E., Crawford, D.J., Schwalen, D., and McFadden, C.H., Gigapixel macrophotography of tree rings, revised manuscript submitted to Tree-Ring Research, April 2021.

License Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States