@article {patrut_radiocarbon_2023, title = {Radiocarbon dating of the historic grand baobab of Mahajanga, Madagascar}, journal = {Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia}, volume = {68}, number = {1}, year = {2023}, month = {2023}, pages = {119{\textendash}129}, chapter = {119}, abstract = {The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon investigation of the historic Grand Baobab of Mahajanga. The largest African baobab of Madagascar exhibits a cluster structure, which consists of 6 fused ordinary stems and of 3 small binding stems. Two samples were collected from the largest stem and from a primary branch, out of which several tiny segments were extracted and dated by radiocarbon. The oldest dated sample segment had a radiocarbon date of 214 {\textpm} 17 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 265 {\textpm} 25 calendar years. The dating results indicate that the Grand Baobab of Mahajanga is 275 {\textpm} 25 years old. }, doi = {10.24193/subbchem.2023.1.09}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T and Rakosy, Laszlo and RATIU, ILEANA ANDREEA and Danthu, Pascal and Leong Pock Tsy, Jean-Michel and von Reden, Karl F} } @article {patrut_radiocarbon_2022, title = {Radiocarbon dating of the historic Emperor{\textquoteright}s Beech from Muncel, Baia de Aries, Romania}, journal = {Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia}, volume = {67}, number = {4}, year = {2022}, note = {Publisher: Babes-Bolyai University}, month = {2022}, pages = {187{\textendash}196}, abstract = {The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of the historic Emperor{\textquoteright}s Beech (Fagul {\^I}mp{\u a}ratului) from Muncel, Baia de Arie{\c s}, Romania. Two wood samples were collected from the large tree, out of which four segments were extracted and analysed by AMS radiocarbon. The oldest dated sample segment had a radiocarbon date of 233 {\textpm} 18 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 365 {\textpm} 5 years. This value suggests an age of 420 {\textpm} 20 years for the Emperor{\textquoteright}s Beech. Thus, the historic beech started growing around the year 1600.}, issn = {1224-7154}, doi = {10.24193/subbchem.2022.4.12}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Bocos-Bintintan, Victor and Patrut, Roxana T. and Partila, Doriana and Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea and Rakosy, Laszlo and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {patrut_radiocarbon_2022, title = {Radiocarbon Investigation of the Historic African Baobabs of Omusati, Namibia}, journal = {Forests}, volume = {13}, number = {11}, year = {2022}, month = {11/2022}, pages = {1899}, abstract = {The Omusati region belongs to historic Ovamboland, an area of northern Namibia populated by tribes of the Ovambo group. Four very large African baobabs of Omusati played an important role in historic events of the area, such as the tribal wars and the Namibian War of Independence. The four historic baobabs are the Ombalantu baobab (8 stems; circumference 24.50 m), Okahao baobab (4+ stems; around 25 m), Amadhila baobab (12 stems; 25.35 m) and Sir Howard baobab (9 stems; 31.60 m). Two historic baobabs collapsed totally or partially. The stems of the Amadhila baobab toppled and died in 2021, while 3 stems of the Okahao baobab collapsed a long time ago, but are still alive. Our research aimed to determine the architecture and age of these baobabs. Three baobabs (Ombalantu, Amadhila, Sir Howard) exhibit a closed ring-shaped structure, with a false cavity inside. One baobab (Okahao) had an open ring-shaped structure, before its collapse. Several wood cores were extracted from the baobabs and investigated by radiocarbon dating. The dating results indicate ages of 770 {\textpm} 50 years for the Ombalantu baobab, 650 {\textpm} 50 years for the Okahao baobab, 1100 {\textpm} 50 years for the Amadhila baobab and 750 {\textpm} 50 years for the Sir Howard baobab.}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f13111899}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/11/1899}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and Rakosy, Demetra and Oliver, Willie and Ratiu, Ileana A. and Lowy, Daniel A. and Shiimbi, Gebhardt and Woodborne, Stephan and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {patrut_radiocarbon_2022, title = {Radiocarbon investigation of two large African baobabs from Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, Tanzania}, journal = {Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia}, volume = {67}, number = {2}, year = {2022}, month = {10/2022}, pages = {143{\textendash}153}, abstract = {The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of Kizimkazi Big tree and Kizimkazi II baobab, two large African baobabs from Zanzibar, Tanzania. Unfortunately, both baobabs toppled and died in 2018 and 2020, during violent storms. The investigation of the two baobabs evinced that the first of them, which was also the biggest tree of Tanzania, consisted of 5 stems, out of which 2 were false ones, and had a closed ring-shaped structure. The second baobab was composed of 4 fused stems and had a cluster structure. Several wood samples were collected from the two baobabs. Seven segments were extracted from the samples and dated by radiocarbon. The oldest segment from Kizimkazi Big tree had a radiocarbon date of 312 {\textpm} 18 BP, corresponding to a calibrated age of 380 {\textpm} 10 calendar years. According to dating results, the Kizimkazi Big tree died at the age of 400 {\textpm} 25 years. The oldest segment from Kizimkazi II baobab had a radiocarbon date of 137 {\textpm} 17 BP, corresponding to a calibrated age of 190 {\textpm} 10 calendar years. This value indicates that the Kizimkazi II baobab was 250 {\textpm} 25 years old when it died. }, issn = {1224-7154}, doi = {10.24193/subbchem.2022.2.09}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea and Bodis, Jen{\H o} and Nassor, Nassor Mahmoud and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2941, title = {AGE, GROWTH AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE HISTORIC BIG TREE AT VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE ASSESSED BY RADIOCARBON DATING}, journal = {Dendrochronologia}, year = {2021}, month = {Jan-10-2021}, pages = {125898}, abstract = {The article discloses the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating results of the historic Big Tree at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The research aimed to determine the age, growth and architecture of this renowned African baobab. The superlative baobab is composed of five main stems, three young stems and one false stem. It exhibits an open ring-shaped structure, an architecture that allows baobabs to reach large sizes and old ages. Several wood samples extracted from four stems were dated by radiocarbon. The oldest sample had a radiocarbon date of 978 {\textpm} 14 BP, corresponding to a calibrated age of 955 {\textpm} 20 calendar years. By this value, the Big Tree at Victoria Falls is 1150 {\textpm} 50 years old. We found that the eight common stems belong to three generations, which are 1000-1100, 600-700 and 200-250 years old, respectively. The false stem is 550 years old. The stems belonging to the oldest generation stopped growing over 100 years ago.}, keywords = {Adansonia digitata, Age determination, AMS radiocarbon dating, growth stop, multiple stems, tropical trees}, issn = {11257865}, doi = {10.1016/j.dendro.2021.125898}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1125786521000941}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and RATIU, ILEANA ANDREEA and Lowy, Daniel A. and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2884, title = {Age, Growth and Death of a National Icon: The Historic Chapman Baobab of Botswana}, journal = {Forests}, volume = {10}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-11-2019}, pages = {983}, abstract = {The year 2016 witnessed the fall of a symbol of the botanical world: the historic Chapman baobab of Botswana. This article presents the results of our investigation of the standing and fallen tree. The Chapman baobab had an open ring-shaped structure composed of six partially fused stems. Several wood samples collected from the stems prior and after their collapse were analysed by using radiocarbon dating. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 1381 {\textpm} 22 BP, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 1345 (+10, -15) calendar years. The dating results show that the six stems of the Chapman baobab belonged to three different generations, which were 1350{\textendash}1400, 800{\textendash}1000 and 500{\textendash}600 years old. The growth rate variation of the largest and oldest stem is presented and correlated with the climate evolution in the area over the past 1000 years. The factors that determined the sudden fall and death of the Chapman baobab are also presented and discussed.}, doi = {10.3390/f10110983}, url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/10/11/983}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Woodborne, Stephan and Patrut, Roxana T. and Hall, Grant and Rakosy, Laszlo and Winterbach, Christiaan and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2886, title = {The demise of the largest and oldest African baobabs}, journal = {Nature Plants}, volume = {4}, year = {2018}, month = {Jan-07-2018}, pages = {423 - 426}, abstract = {The African baobab is the biggest and longest-living angiosperm tree. By using radiocarbon dating we identified the stable architectures that enable baobabs to reach large sizes and great ages. We report that 9 of the 13 oldest and 5 of the 6 largest individuals have died, or at least their oldest parts/stems have collapsed and died, over the past 12 years; the cause of the mortalities is still unclear.}, doi = {10.1038/s41477-018-0170-5}, url = {http://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-018-0170-5}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Woodborne, Stephan and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and Lowy, Daniel A. and Hall, Grant and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2887, title = {Radiocarbon dating of the old ash of Aiton, Romania}, journal = {Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia}, volume = {63}, year = {2018}, month = {Jan-10-2020}, pages = {41 - 47}, abstract = {The article reports the AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon investigation results of the old common ash of Aiton. Five wood samples were collected from the trunk of the tree. The deepest ends of the samples were analysed by AMS radiocarbon. We found radiocarbon dates between 165 {\textpm} 20 BP and 240 {\textpm} 18 BP, which correspond to calibrated ages of 230 {\textendash} 360 years. These results, combined with a ring counting estimate, indicate an age of 330 {\textpm} 30 years for the ash of Aiton. By this value, the ash of Aiton becomes the oldest known common ash with accurate dating results. {\textcopyright} 2018, Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Catedra de Filosofie Sistematica. All rights reserved.}, issn = {12247154}, doi = {10.24193/subbchem.2018.3.03}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328588965_Radiocarbon_dating_of_the_old_ash_of_Aiton_Romania}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea and Lowy, Daniel A. and Bodis, Jen{\H o} and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2885, title = {Final Radiocarbon Investigation of Platland Tree, the Biggest African Baobab}, journal = {Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Chemia}, volume = {62}, year = {2017}, month = {Apr-06-2018}, pages = {347 - 354}, abstract = {The article discloses the main results of our new investigation of Platland tree, a.k.a. Sunland baobab, the largest known African baobab. Our recent research was motivated by the three successive splits of 2016 and 2017, which determined the collapse and demise of the stems that have built the main unit of the tree. According to our new findings concerning the architecture of large and old baobabs, we established that Platland tree has a double closed-ring shaped structure and consists of two units/rings that close two separate false cavities. The larger unit was composed of five fused stems, out of which four toppled and died, while the fifth stem is already broken. The smaller unit, which is still standing, consists of three fused stems. We also determined that the larger unit had an age of 800 yr, while the smaller unit is 1100 yr old.}, issn = {12247154}, doi = {10.24193/subbchem.2017.2.27}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318354222_Final_Radiocarbon_Investigation_of_Platland_Tree_the_Biggest_African_Baobab}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Woodborne, Stephan and Patrut, Roxana T. and Rakosy, Laszlo and Hall, Grant and Ratiu, Ileana-Andreea and von Reden, Karl F.} } @article {2450, title = {The Growth Stop Phenomenon Of Baobabs (Adansonia Spp.) Identified By Radiocarbon DatingAbstract}, journal = {Radiocarbon}, volume = {59504754164661}, year = {2017}, month = {Jan-04-2017}, pages = {435 - 448}, abstract = {The article reports the growth stop phenomenon, which was documented only for baobabs, i.e. for trees belonging to the Adansonia genus. The identification of growth stop was enabled by radiocarbon dating, which allows a complex investigation of samples collected from the trunk/stems of baobabs. In several cases, the outermost rings of baobabs, which were close to the bark, were found to be old, with ages of several hundreds of years, instead of being very young. Dating results of samples collected from six baobabs are presented. For multistemmed baobabs, the growth stop may occur only for one or several stems. We identified four factors that may induce the growth stop: (i) stress determined by severe climate conditions, (ii) old age, (iii) the need to keep a stable internal architecture, and (iv) the collapse of stems that survive this trauma. Baobabs and their stems affected by growth stop may survive for several centuries, by continuing to produce leaves, flowers, and fruits. This phenomenon was associated with the capacity of baobabs to store large amounts of water in their trunks/stems in the rainy season. This reservoir of water is used during the dry season and allows the trees to survive prolonged drought periods.}, keywords = {Age determination, AMS, growth stop, Radiocarbon dating, tropical trees}, issn = {0033-8222}, doi = {10.1017/RDC.2016.92}, url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0033822216000928/type/journal_articlehttps://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033822216000928}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Woodborne, Stephan and von Reden, Karl F and Hall, Grant and Patrut, Roxana T and Rakosy, Laszlo and Danthu, Pascal and Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel Leong and Lowy, Daniel A and Margineanu, Dragos} } @article {1094, title = {AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Large Za Baobabs (Adansonia za) of Madagascar.}, journal = {PLoS One}, volume = {11}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {e0146977}, abstract = {

The article reports the radiocarbon investigation of Anzapalivoro, the largest za baobab (Adansonia za) specimen of Madagascar and of another za, namely the Big cistern baobab. Several wood samples collected from the large inner cavity and from the outer part/exterior of the tree were investigated by AMS (accelerator mass spectrometry) radiocarbon dating. For samples collected from the cavity walls, the age values increase with the distance into the wood up to a point of maximum age, after which the values decrease toward the outer part. This anomaly of age sequences indicates that the inner cavity of Anzapalivoro is a false cavity, practically an empty space between several fused stems disposed in a ring-shaped structure. The radiocarbon date of the oldest sample was 780 {\textpm} 30 bp, which corresponds to a calibrated age of around 735 yr. Dating results indicate that Anzapalivoro has a closed ring-shaped structure, which consists of 5 fused stems that close a false cavity. The oldest part of the biggest za baobab has a calculated age of 900 years. We also disclose results of the investigation of a second za baobab, the Big cistern baobab, which was hollowed out for water storage. This specimen, which consists of 4 fused stems, was found to be around 260 years old.

}, keywords = {Adansonia, Calibration, Ecology, Forests, Geography, Madagascar, Mass Spectrometry, Radiometric Dating, Time Factors, Trees, Wood}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146977}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and Patrut, Roxana T and Danthu, Pascal and Leong Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel and Rakosy, Laszlo and Lowy, Daniel A and von Reden, Karl F} } @article {549, title = {AMS radiocarbon dating of very large Grandidier{\textquoteright}s baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri)}, journal = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms}, volume = {361}, year = {2015}, note = {Cu2hzTimes Cited:2Cited References Count:20}, month = {Oct 15}, pages = {591-598}, abstract = {The article reports the AMS radiocarbon investigation of the two largest known Adansonia grandidieri specimens. The two baobabs, which are named Tsitakakoike and Pregnant baobab, are located in Southwestern Madagascar, near Andombiro. A third specimen from this area, the House baobab, was also investigated. According to measurements, Tsitakakoike is the biggest individual above ground level of all Adansonia species. The House baobab was selected for its exposed structure, which is identical to the closed ring-shaped structure with false cavities identified by us in large and old Adansonia digitata specimens. According to our research, Tsitakakoike and the Pregnant baobab have multi-stemmed cylindrical trunks which are mainly hollow; the two very large baobabs also possess a ring-shaped structure. The radiocarbon dates of the oldest wood samples collected from the large trunks were 1274 {\textpm} 20 bp for Tsitakakoike and 930 {\textpm} 20 bp for the Pregnant baobab. According to their original positions and to the architectures of the two A. grandidieri, the ages of Tsitakakoike and Pregnant baobab would be between 1300 and 1500 years. Therefore, A. grandidieri becomes the third Adansonia species with individuals that can live over 1000 years, according to accurate dating results.}, issn = {0168-583X}, doi = {10.1016/j.nimb.2015.04.044}, author = {Patrut, Adrian and von Reden, Karl F. and Danthu, Pascal and Leong Pock-Tsy, Jean-Michel and Rakosy, Laszlo and Patrut, Roxana T. and Lowy, Daniel A. and Margineanu, Dragos} }