The oldest trees in the world! |
Published in Georgia
- Social interactions and entertainment - 3 - 31 Aug 22 00:01

MethuselahWhen it comes to non-clonal species of trees—meaning, these trees are not copies, they’re the OGs—this California secret is the world’s oldest, at 4,852 years old. While its specific location is kept hidden from the public by the U.S. Forest Service, we do know that it’s in the Methuselah Grove in Inyo National Forest.


Old TjikkoDiscovered in 2008, Old Tjikko, a clone, was initially deemed the world’s oldest tree, clocking in at around 10,000 years old. Old Tjikko’s age was actually determined via the carbon dating of plant material located under the tree; dendrochronology is not effective for clonal trees. While there isn’t a defined path to the tree so that you may feast your eyes upon it IRL, a peek is possible (and preferable, according to rangers) via a guided tour.
Sarv-e-AbarkuhAlso known as the Zoroastrian, and/or The Cypress of Abarkuh, this 4,000-year-old tree, 26 meter Cyprus is literally a national treasure in Iran. Some have even speculated that it’s the oldest living “thing†in Asia. Additionally, a few myths entail that Zoroaster (from which the tree’s name is derived), a prophet widely associated with Ancient Persia, planted the tree himself.
Llangernyw YewAnother (approximately) 4,000-year-old incredible piece of flora, this yew—a coniferous species with largely poisonous berries—can be found in the churchyard of a quaint Welsh village. One of the oldest trees in Great Britain, Llangernyw Yew has lost a chunk of its core, but, regardless, it still stands tall (at about 10 meter) to this day.
PandoA colony of clonal trees, actually, the Pando has been around for at least 80,000 years. Upon first viewing, it may look like a grove but don’t be fooled: technically it’s one single tree (the Pando) that’s been cloned, or copied. The key here is its singular underground root system.
Gran Abuelo aka AlerceAlso known as “Great Grandfather†(its literal translation), this cyprus (whose species is the largest tree species in South America) is approximately 3,646 years old and stands more than 60 meter tall. But, “Great Grandfather,†does resonate when you learn that the Alerce region initially began to develop in 1,500 B.C.
Olive Tree of VouvesBetween 2,000 and 3,000 years old, the Olive Tree of Vouves, remarkably, still yields olives to this day. Also an official natural monument, this particular piece of flora is actually one of seven olive trees that are believed to be among the oldest in the Mediterranean (and is certainly the oldest living thing in Greece).
JÅmon SugiThe power this tree—a Cryptomeria, or, as it’s more commonly known, a “Japanese cedarâ€â€”has! The island it’s located on was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part, because of it. While its exact age has yet to be determined, a time frame has been estimated to when it germinated: sometime between 2,170 and 7,200 years ago.
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