Check out this article on Dendrochronology from The Strad.  The article reviews how this wood dating technique is used to  verify the authenticity of instruments.  From an instrument making point of view, the method has shined light on the age of wood used to make instruments:

“The science has also provided valuable information to modern makers: the patterns of use of specific trees from specific forests by different luthiers in different locations; the trees shared by makers in different countries; the use of relatively fresh rather than long-aged wood, and so on. All these findings shake up tired ideas about ‘Little Ice Age’ wood and bizarre seasoning techniques. “