10 oldest trees in the world

Trees are very diverse in nature, and their appearance varies with the time of year, geography and the climate in which they exist. Thus, at a particular moment in time, any tree cannot be the same as any other at the same moment, or like it itself at another time.

Many factors affect the beauty of the tree that we see. Some trees can be so magnificent that they exceed all expectations. They are not subject to the most daring human imagination, forcing him to marvel at the elegance and grandeur of natural beauty, and not the artificial benefits of civilization inherent in the planet in which we live. One can only hope that these trees will not meet a cruel end, like their countless brethren, who perished during the massive felling, fueled by human greed.

Below the reader is presented a list of ten trees that have existed since time immemorial. You may also be interested in the article 10 most beautiful rainforests on the planet.

10. General Sherman

This tree is located in the California State National Park. General Sherman is considered the largest in the world in volume, slightly exceeding 1,486.6 cubic meters as measured in 1975. This non-clonal tree stands at 275 feet and 102.6 feet in diameter. The age of the General, according to experts, ranges from 2300 to 2700 years.

9. Patriarca de Floresta

Patriarca de Floresta is located in Brazil and belongs to the species Cariniana legalis. This 3000 year old tree has a very impressive growth. It stands at a height of 49 meters, and its trunk diameter is about 16 meters. The name, Patriarca de Floresta (meaning Patriarch of the Forest), derives from its status as the oldest non-coniferous tree in South America. It is widely believed that this tree is holy, and many do believe in it. However, it is threatened with extinction due to the increased number of deforestation and destruction of natural habitats.

8. Jomon Sugi

Jomon Sugi is the oldest and largest coniferous tree in Japan. It grows on the island of Yakushima and reaches a height of 83 feet, and in girth - 53 meters. Its real age has been a source of serious debate, with some experts claiming that it was 2,000 years old, while others said that the estimated age of the tree was at least 7,000 years old. The time when the tree was supposedly born was called the Jomon period (13000 BC - 300 BC), hence its name. It is because of this formidable tree that Yakushima Island has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Chestnut of hundreds of horses

It is believed to be one of the oldest trees in Europe, and it grows on Mount Etna in eastern Sicily. The tree is estimated to be 3,000-4,000 years old and has a girth of about 190 feet. It is absolutely amazing that the tree survived despite the fact that it grows on Mount Etna, a volcano that is still active. According to legend, Jeanne of Aragon, Queen of Naples, was caught in a thunderstorm and sought refuge under this tree, along with her entourage of a hundred knights and their horses. It is believed that the foliage of the tree was so massive that it could provide refuge for each of them, including the horses, hence the nickname "Chestnut of a Hundred Horses".

6. Alerce

Fitzroya Cupressoids, also known as Alerce or Patagonian Cypress, stands 197 feet tall and boasts a 197-inch diameter barrel. This tree grows in a village in southern Chile and was declared a National Monument in 1976. Experts believe that this tree is about 3,600 years old. It also has amazing regenerative properties and can only be destroyed by fire.

5. Tis Llangerniv

This yew, which has reached the age of 4,000 years, is located in the village of Llangerniv in Wales. Back in the Bronze Age, the sprout of this tree was born. This yew tree has a huge number of branches and this is the reason why the tree still survives despite the fragmented core. This yew is credited with one entertaining story - every year on Halloween, a voice predicts which of the people will die next year. In 2002, during the celebration of the British Queen's golden jubilee, the Council of Trees included this yew in the list of the fifty great trees of Great Britain.

4. Prometheus (WPN-114)

Prometheus is 5,000 years old and is considered one of the oldest non-clonal organisms on the planet. Located in Nevada, USA, this bristlecone pine was chopped up in 1964 by graduate student Donald Kerry, who was assisted in research by the US Forest Service. The tree stood at a dignified height of 17 feet and was 252 inches in circumference before it was cut. How old this tree was determined after it was cut down. Kerry named this tree WPN-114 because it was the 114th tree selected for his research.

3. Methuselah

No one knows exactly where this 5,000-year-old bristlecone pine is located, but it is believed to be necessary to protect the tree. There is no publicly available photograph of this tree as a preventive measure to prevent its identification. This tree has remained hidden for almost 5,000 years in the Inyo National Forest in the White Mountains of California, among other bristlecone pines in a grove called the Forest of the Ancients. The name, Methuselah, comes from the Bible (one of the ancestors of Noah, who lived until almost 1000, was called Methuselah). The first Egyptian pyramid could be considered a contemporary of this tree. This pine was considered the oldest non-clonal tree until 2013, when the title was usurped by another older bristlecone pine.
(This is a photograph of a bristlecone pine, which in all likelihood could have been Methuselah, but we cannot be sure for sure.)

2. Old Tikko

The appearance of this tree is difficult to give it a large age, but not all old trees are given an impressive appearance. This Norwegian spruce, despite its modest appearance, is 9,500 years old. This tree is located in Fulufjallet National Park, Sweden, and is believed to have grown in a colony, as trees alone cannot survive to such an impressive age. The discoverer, Leif Kulman, had a beloved Siberian husky, and this tree was named after him.

1. Pando

Pando is an 80,000-year-old clonal colony of aspen poplar. It is located in Utah, USA and is also called the "Trembling Giant". It is a whole grove of 50,000 trees, which is located on an area of 106 acres, and its estimated weight is about 6,200 tons. From Latin, the word "Pando" is translated as "I spread", and this name suits him perfectly, since this organism should spread over thousands of years. The roots of this tree go deep underground, they sprout into new shoots, revive trees that are dying, etc. Successful placement will encourage this tree to avoid fires, so it can be considered invulnerable.