This podcast episode explores the field of dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, and how it can reveal hidden patterns in climate and history. By examining the width, density, and chemistry of tree rings, scientists can reconstruct past environments, identify hurricanes, and even shed light on larger historical events like the Golden Age of Piracy and the sugar revolution. The episode highlights how scientists have used tree ring data to uncover the "invisible hand" that shapes our planet's history and illustrates how trees serve as valuable archives of information about our world.
