Culturally Modified Trees: Peeled and Scarred Ponderosa Pine Trees in the Zuni Mountains, New Mexico, USA

Abstract

Modification of forest trees can occur from a variety of factors. Both cultural and natural processes can injure trees and many injuries can be dated dendrochronologically. Distinguishing between types of injuries, however, is important for understanding past human land-use practices and delineating different activities or processes that impact the forest. In the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico, USA, we have identified trees intentionally peeled for their cambial layer and unintentionally damaged trees whose scars resemble cambium-peeled trees. Both detailed attribute recording and dendrochronological dating were used to identify past exploitation of this ponderosa pine forest.