Archiving Samples

The primary purpose of the LTRR repository is to safely store and make available for reuse, specimens used in research within the laboratory.  LTRR researchers are encouraged to make contact with the Curator early and often in their  research projects to ensure specimens are collected, labelled and cataloged according to established LTRR curation procedures. 

The LTRR accepts external accession requests on a case-by-case basis, but specimens must be of significant scientific value and compliment the existing LTRR collection. An accession fee is charged on the basis of volume and state of the collection.  Well curated specimens meeting the physical and digital collections standards will be charged at a much lower rate than specimens that require a lot of work.  In circumstances where a collection is orphaned or is in imminent danger of being orphaned the curation team will work with you to help secure the funding necessary to save the collection.  This can take time though, so please contact the LTRR Curator as far in advance as possible especially if the orphaning of a collection is foreseeable (e.g. retirement). 

We will also consider accessioning new research collections, especially when specimens are collected from federally administered lands.  As the only federally recognized tree-ring repository in the United States, you are likely to be directed to us for the long term storage and preservation of your specimens.  We expect to be consulted in the very early stages of your project planning to ensure that all collections protocols meet our requirements and that the necessary funds have been secured to safeguard the specimens in perpetuity.