FX.co ★ World’s 7 oldest living trees

Old Tjikko (9,550 y.o.)

In 2008, Old Tjikko, a single spruce tree in the Fulufjellet mountains, was founded in Sweden. This tree is 9,550 years old. Technically speaking, this tree is the oldest individual of a colony of trees, having a common root system. The tree is 600 years old. For several centuries, this spruce looked more like a bush but it managed to grow to 5 meters due to climate change. Radiocarbon dating allowed dendrologists to come to this conclusion. The experts say that these trees can propagate using their root systems to produce new offsprings. That is why it is considered the oldest tree in the world. The trunk of the spruce could reborn thanks to its roots. Thus, young shoots appeared on the tree again and again.

Methuselah pine (4,845 y.o.)

California is home to a 4,845-year-old Great Basin bristlecone pine called Methuselah, named after the long-lived Biblical figure "Methuselah", who lived to 969 years, according to canon. The pine was found in 1957 by American researcher Edmund Schulman. It is estimated that Methuselah germinated around 2832 BC. Nowadays, this ancient tree inhabits harsh climatic conditions. Its habitat is arid, and there are almost no nutrients left in the soil. In this connection, the pine grows very slowly. It has grown by only 2.5 cm in 100 years. However, Methuselah’s slow growth prolongs its life. At the same time, the exact location is kept a secret from the general public to prevent any risk of vandalism.

Abarkuh cypress (4,500 y.o.)

The Abarkuh cypress, also called "Sarv-e Abarkuh", grows in Iran. Its age is estimated to be about 4,500 years, the age of the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. The local legend says that the tree was planted by Iranian prophet Zoroaster. The tree is 20 meters wide and 25 meters tall. For reference, it is the size of a nine-storey house. The cypress is a natural heritage site. It is protected by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Iran. Many tourists visit the evergreen landmark every day.

Llangernyw yew (4,000 y.o.)

The Llangernyw yew is an ancient yew tree in the village of Llangernyw in North Wales, UK. The tree is a species of berry yew (Taxus baccata), has a sprawling crown, and is located in a local cemetery. In Welsh mythology, it is considered home to a special spirit called "Angelystor" (the "Recorded Angel") who appears every Halloween. Experts estimate the age of the tree to be between 4,000 and 4,500 years and its diameter to be 11 meters. At the same time, the trunk of the yew has no central part as it rotted away long ago, which makes the tree look like Conjoined twins. The Llangernyw yew easily tolerates the lack of sunlight and water. Scientists explain its longevity by new shoots, constantly replacing the old ones.

Patagonian cypress of Alerce Costero National Park (3,650 y.o.)

Another of the oldest trees in the world is scientifically called a Fitzroya cupressoides. It is also known as "El Gran Abuelo". The cypress is located in Alerce Costero National Park, Chile. The 3,650-year-old tree grows in the Andes, on the south side of the mountains. Its trunk is 4 meters in diameter. "El Gran Abuelo" is 70 meters tall and 11 meters wide. The members of the cypress species grow slowly but have a long life span.

"The tree of one hundred horses" (2,000 - 4,000 y.o.)

Located on Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, "The tree of one hundred horses" is one of the world's oldest chestnut trees. A legend says that the tree received its name when Joan (Giovanna) of Aragon, Queen of Naples, and her company of one hundred knight bodyguards traveled to Mount Etna and were caught in a severe thunderstorm. The queen and 100 soldiers took shelter under the tree. Today researchers are paying close attention to the chestnut. According to them, the tree is between 2,000 and 4,000 years old. It has a trunk girth of 58-meter. In addition, the green giant is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Giant sequoia tree General Sherman (2,700 y.o.)

Sequoia tree General Sherman is located in the Sequoia National Park in California, US. The General Sherman Tree was named after the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman. According to experts, it is the largest and heaviest plant species in the world. General Sherman has a very thick bark, resistant to fire. The height of the tree, which is 2,700 years old, exceeds 83 meters. The approximate weight of this giant is 1,910 tons, and the diameter of the trunk at the ground is 11 meters.