I am looking for a method to age Broom Crowberry, a low growing subshrub with thin stems (2-5 mm). I have tried manually sectioning with a sharp blade and counting growth rings under a microscope, but was not able to see individual rings. To do the same procedure on a similar plant, Bar and Loffler (Bär, A., A. Bräuning, and J. Löffler. "Dendroecology of Dwarf Shrubs in the High Mountains of Norway-a Methodological Approach." Dendrochronologia 24, no. 1 (2006): 17- 27) used a sledge microtome and Astra blue and Safranin O dyes before looking under the microscope. I have been unable to find Astra Blue for sale anywhere. Does anyone have an idea of what might be an appropriate substitute for woody tissue?
Thanks, Kirsten Martin University of Central Florida
