The Oldest Trees in the World: A Closer Look

It’s always fascinating to learn about the oldest and longest-living things in the world, so here’s a look at some of the oldest trees on Earth, as well as the oldest animals. These resilient plants and creatures have survived many changes in the environment throughout history, and have even contributed to these environmental shifts themselves by simply being around so long! Take, for example, an ancient grove of bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) that thrives in the White Mountains of California, where some of the trees are over 5,000 years old.

Llangernyw Yew, Wales

Some of the world’s most impressive structures are the pyramids. However, it appears that another amazing monument was beginning to emerge not too long after they were constructed. The Llangernyw Yew tree in North Wales first appeared some 4,000 years ago, and it is still standing tall and strong today. In Llangernyw’s St. Digain’s Church, you may discover it with relative ease if you’d want to get a sight of it.

Fitzroya Cupressoides, Chile

Many of the world’s oldest trees have only reached this point by accident. Because it’s what their species does, others have persisted for thousands of years. In the Andes Mountains, fitzroya cupressoides appears to behave in this manner. It’s probably not surprising that these trees have been around for a while because they have a lengthy lifespan naturally. For the last few centuries, scientists have been tracking them, with one tree purportedly of particular interest. It appears that this one has been around for 3,600 years.

Methuselah, California

Methuselah is a bristlecone pine tree that is said to be close to 5,000 years old, and it is located somewhere in the White Mountains of California. The Forest Service won’t divulge the precise position of this tree, so I’m afraid I can’t tell you where it is. It seems sense that they would wish to safeguard it given its advanced age. They are more wary now because a tree that was much older was cut down in the 1960s because a scientist didn’t comprehend how old it was.

The Tree of One Hundred Horses, Sicily

The true age of Sicily’s Tree of One Hundred Horses is unknown. It is estimated to be somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, which is a sizable age difference. Regardless of the details, it is still without a doubt one of the planet’s oldest trees. Its name comes from a myth in which 100 nights took shelter beneath its broad canopy from a storm. Additionally, although not being the oldest tree, it is the girthiest with a 190-foot diameter.

Old Tjikko, Sweden

Given that the earth is still far from being completely frozen, it may be difficult to understand the previous ice age. For one tree in Sweden, however, that is not the case; it began to grow while the incident was still taking place. With the oldest tree in existence being a 16-foot Norway spruce, Old Tjikko is said to be roughly 9,550 years old. It may be found in the province of Dalarna; Leif Kullman is responsible for the name. The geologist named the tree after his recently deceased dog when he found it.