Which are the grand old trees of the world?

Old Tjikko

Old Tjikko is a 9,550-year-old Norway spruce, located in Sweden. The age of the tree was determined by carbon dating of its root system. It is 16 ft tall and is located on Fulufjallet Mountain of Dalarna province. Geologists Leif Kullman, who discovered the tree, named it after his dead dog.

Old Tjikko is, however, a clonal tree that has regenerated new trunks, branches and roots over millennia rather than an individual tree of great age. And it is believed to be the only living trunk of an ancient clonal colony. Clonal colonies are made up of genetically identical trees connected by a single root system. In general, spruce trees can multiply with the root penetrating branches to produce exact copies of themselves. So while the individual trunk is younger (only a few hundred years), Old Tjikko has been cloning itself for at least 9,550 years.

Scientists also reported that a cluster of around 20 spruces were found in the Swedish mountains that are estimated to be over 8,000 years old. The trees are able to survive very harsh weather conditions, and a warming climate has allowed them to thrive.

Methuselah

Methuselah, a bristlecone pine tree in California’s White Mountain range, is believed to be the oldest non-clonal tree in the world. It is over 4,800 years old. Methuselah is located between 9,500 and 9,800 ft above sea level in the “Methuselah Grove” in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest within the Inyo National Forest in the United States. The exact location of Methuselah (and many other famous trees) is kept a secret due to fears of vandalism. All three species of bristlecone pine are long-lived and highly resilient to harsh weather and bad soil. The bristlecone pine is extremely drought-tolerant due to its branched shallow root system, its waxy needles, and thick needle cuticles that aid in water retention. The wood is also resistant to invasion by insects, fungi, and other potential pests.

Another bristlecone pine, nicknamed Prometheus, found in Nevada, was estimated to be 4,900 years old, when it was felled accidentally a scientist in 1964.

Llangernyw Yew

Llangernyw Yew, a lush tree in North Wales, is estimated to be 4,000 to 5,000 years old – must have germinated sometime in the prehistoric Bronze Age. Today it’s situated in the churchyard of St. Digain’s Church in Llangernyw village. Yew trees survive by regenerating. The centre of the Llangernyw yew is a void, where the original growth died back over the millennia. Younger wood grows around the void, drawing nutrients from the prehistoric roots. The girth of the tree at the ground level is 35.3 ft.

It is believed to be the oldest tree in Britain. In 2002, in celebration of the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, the tree was designated as one of 50 Great British trees by the Tree Council.

 

Picture Credit : Google

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