Paleodendrology is the study of ancient trees and their growth patterns. The term is derived from the Greek words paleo, meaning "ancient," dendron, meaning "tree," and logos, meaning "study of." Although paleodendrology is a relatively specialized field, there are several other terms that can be used to describe the study of ancient trees. Some synonyms for paleodendrology include dendrochronology, which is the study of tree rings to determine climate patterns and environmental history, and silvics, which is the study of tree biology and ecology. Other related fields include paleobotany, which is the study of ancient plants, and arborology, which is the study of trees and their cultivation.