Dendrometry Station

The SILVATECH facilities dendrometry station is an advanced imaging system dedicated to dendrochronology and quantitative wood anatomy. It enables automated, reproducible imaging of core and wood disc samples at ultra-high optical resolution, under optimal contrast conditions (transmission, reflection, polarization). This system overcomes the limitations of traditional flatbed scanners, particularly for complex species such as beech or sequences with very narrow growth rings, thanks to optical imaging with a macroscope and automatic stitching of high-resolution mosaic images.

Main Components

• Motorized Axio Zoom V16 macroscope (Carl Zeiss) with 3.5x to 56x optical zoom, constant 114 mm working distance
• Axiocam 820 color camera (20 megapixels, max. resolution: 1.4 µm/pixel)
• Large-travel motorized XY stage (510 × 500 mm) with dedicated support for cores, discs, and thin sections
• Segmented LED lighting in reflection and transmission, with motorized polarization
• Custom stabilized support gantry to ensure acquisition repeatability for large formats
   

Software Features (ZEN 3 Pro)

ZEN 3 Pro software allows:

• Automated 2D (mosaic) and 3D (Z-stack) acquisition
• Dynamic focus adjustment (autofocus, extended focus)
• Automatic calibration between different objectives
• Overlay of images acquired under different conditions (white light, polarization)
• Export in various formats for further processing (ImageJ, Fiji, etc.)
   

Experimental Conditions & Samples

• Wood cores: multiple at once, automated high-resolution scanning
• Wood discs: full imaging (up to 50 × 50 cm) for global and local analyses
• Thin sections: transmitted light for detailed anatomical observation
   

Applications

• Dendrochronology and ring dating
• Dendroecological studies (resilience, growth, disturbances)
• Quantitative anatomy (cell analysis, intra-annual density)
   

Data Processing & Storage

Generated images are stored on a high-performance workstation with 22 TB capacity. Processing can be performed remotely via Zen Lite or another open-source software. Measurements are reproducible, traceable, and integrable into long-term monitoring databases.

Access to the Station

The station is managed by the SILVATECH facility. It is available for service-based use or self-service depending on the project and is shared among UMR SILVA teams, scientific partners, and academic or collaborative projects.

Launch & Outlook

Commissioned in November 2023. Already integrated into a Master’s thesis project on beech resilience to drought. New projects for resource sharing and inter-site analysis are currently being developed.

Contact:

• Equipment coordinator: Adeline Motz adeline.motz@inrae.fr 
• Unit coordinator: Julien Ruelle julien.ruelle@inrae.fr