Trees are some of the oldest and most enduring living organisms on the planet, with some species having been around for hundreds of years. They provide us with oxygen, shade, and habitat for wildlife, and are essential to our planet’s health. Some trees, however, are much older than others. Here are the ten oldest living trees in the world.
1. Methuselah – White Mountains, California
Methuselah is the oldest living tree in the world. It is a bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva) located in the White Mountains of California and is believed to be over 4,800 years old. Methuselah is not the tallest or widest tree, but it has survived for millennia due to its location in a cold and dry environment.
2. Sarv-e-Abarkooh – Iran
Sarv-e-Abarkooh is an ancient cypress tree located in the Abarkooh region of Iran. The tree is estimated to be over 4,000 years old and is considered to be the second-oldest living tree in the world. Sarv-e-Abarkooh is over 30 meters tall and has a circumference of 12 meters. It is a popular tourist attraction in Iran and is considered a national treasure.
3. Llangernyw Yew – Wales
The Llangernyw Yew tree is located in a churchyard in the small village of Llangernyw in Wales. It is estimated to be over 4,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees in the world. The tree is a yew (Taxus baccata) and is believed to have been planted during the Bronze Age. The Llangernyw Yew is now a protected tree and is considered a national heritage site in Wales.
4. Senator – Big Tree Park, Florida
The Senator is a bald cypress tree (Taxodium distichum) located in Big Tree Park in Longwood, Florida. The tree is estimated to be over 3,500 years old and is the oldest living tree in the United States. The Senator is over 118 feet tall and has a circumference of 35 feet. It was named after Senator M.O. Overstreet, who discovered the tree in 1925.
5. Jōmon Sugi – Yakushima, Japan
Jōmon Sugi is an ancient Japanese cedar located on the island of Yakushima. The tree is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and is the oldest living tree in Japan. Jōmon Sugi is over 17 meters tall and has a circumference of 16.4 meters. The tree is a popular tourist attraction in Yakushima and is considered a national treasure.
6. Pando – Fishlake National Forest, Utah
Pando is a clonal colony of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) located in Fishlake National Forest, Utah. The tree is estimated to be over 80,000 years old and is the oldest living organism in the world. Pando is made up of over 47,000 individual trees and covers an area of 106 acres. The tree is a popular tourist attraction and is considered an important part of the ecosystem in Fishlake National Forest.
7. Alerce – Patagonia, Chile
The Alerce is a species of coniferous tree native to the Valdivian temperate rainforest of Patagonia, Chile. The tree is estimated to be over 3,000 years old and is the second-oldest living tree species in the world. Alerce trees can grow up to 90 meters tall and have a lifespan of up to 4,000 years. The tree is a popular tourist attraction in Patagonia and is considered an important part of the region’s ecosystem.
8. Angel Oak – Johns Island, South Carolina
The Angel Oak is a live oak (Quercus virginiana) located on Johns Island, South Carolina. The tree is estimated to be over 1,500 years old and is the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi River. The Angel Oak is over 65 feet tall and has a circumference of 28 feet. It is a popular tourist attraction on Johns Island and is considered an important part of the local ecosystem.
9. Hyperion – Redwood National Park, California
Hyperion is a giant redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) located in Redwood National Park in California. The tree is estimated to be over 700 years old and is the tallest tree in the world. Hyperion is over 380 feet tall and has a circumference of 25 feet. The tree is a popular tourist attraction in Redwood National Park and is considered an important part of the local ecosystem.
10. Major Oak – Sherwood Forest, England
The Major Oak is an oak tree (Quercus robur) located in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England. The tree is estimated to be over 800 years old and is the oldest living tree in England. The Major Oak is over 25 feet tall and has a circumference of 33 feet. It is a popular tourist attraction in Sherwood Forest and is considered an important part of the local ecosystem.
These ten oldest living trees in the world are a reminder of the resilience and longevity of nature. They have survived for centuries, despite the changing climate and human activities. These trees are a testament to the power of nature and a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment.
