Evidence of floods on the Potomac River from anatomical abnormalities in the wood of flood-plain trees

Abstract

Ash trees along the Potomac River flood plain near Washington, D.C., were studied to determine changes in wood anatomy related to flood damage. Samples were collected as cross sections, and anomalous growth was compared with flood records for April 15 to August 31, 1930August 31, to 1979. Collectively, anatomical evidence was detected for 33 of the 34 growing-season floods during the study period. Evidence of 12 floods prior to 1930 was also noted, including catastrophic floods in 1889 and 1924.