The Use of Dendrochronological Method in Dating of Illegal Tree Cuttings in Turkey: A Case Study

Abstract

Every year many illegal tree cuttings occur in Turkey, and due to economic value of timber, the species such as Pinus nigra Arn. (Black pine) and Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) are sometimes subject to illegal cuttings. On the basis of cross-dating results, the case study aims to date the cutting years of pine trees, maker(s) of which is unknown, in Metristepe site (Bafra-Turkey). The master chronology of the 13 samples, which were dated, significantly matched to the reference chronology from the same forest (Gleichlaufigkeit Value: 81 %. correlation coefficient 0.82, P < 0.001). The dating results indicate that the illegal cuttings in the scene occur mainly between the years 1990-2000. Thus, in terms of neglect of duty, the forest enterprisers, engineers and guards on duty in the period of 1990-2000 might be under criminal proceedings.