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The debate over the planet’s oldest tree is between the US and Chile


Photo: Youtube/ Ribamar Guimarães “o Bom Maranhense”

Did you know that nearly 5,000-year-old trees are still alive? They are trees that have survived for thousands of years, witnesses of various stages of history. The most accepted method for estimating the age of a tree is called “dendrochronology”.

Photo: Youtube/ Ribamar Guimarães “o Bom Maranhense”

As the plant grows, its diameter expands. In warmer seasons, the resulting wood is lighter. In the cold, the tone is dark. Based on the evaluation of the rings, this makes it possible to estimate the growth time of the stem.

Photo: Pixabay

Researchers obtain a sample of the tree using special equipment so as not to cut it. To provide more precision, there are also radiocarbon-14 tests and the use of radioactive isotopes. Check out the oldest trees in the world.

Photo: Public domain

Methuselah (United States) – This is a bristlecone pine – estimated to be 4,854 years old (as of 2024). It is an ancient tree that now has a strong competitor in Chile.

Photo: Photo Yen Chau – Flickr – Creative Commons

Methuselah (the name of the longest-lived biblical character…) is located in the Great Basin of Nevada, 3,000 meters above sea level, in the rocky Serpentine Range. Its twisted branches reduce the risk of breakage and provide nutrients to the roots. Thick wood, resistant to insects. And, interestingly, one part may die and the tree survives with the rest.

Photo: TiggyPop – Wikimedia Commons

Exact location not disclosed to avoid vandalism. After all, in the same part of Nevada, a tree was cut down, and it was then that it was discovered that it was the oldest on the planet.

Photo: Rick Goldweiser Wikimedia Commons

This is the tree known today as Prometheus. It was cut in 1964 by a graduate student with the assistance of US Forest Service personnel for research purposes. What they didn’t know was his age before the cut, a world record. At that time, it was estimated to be 4,862 years old.

Photo: Jrbouldin Wikimedia Commons

Gran Abuelo (Chile) – This is a Patagonian cypress – there is controversy regarding this tree. Some sources say it is 3,646 years old, while others argue that tree-ring analyzes show an age of 5,846. In this case, she would be older than Methuselah.

Photo: Yio Zamorano Wikimedia Commons

Gran Abuelo (Great Grandfather, in Spanish) is located in Alers Costero National Park in the south of the country. Its trunk is 4 meters in diameter. This magnificent tree, belonging to the genus Alers (Fitzroya cuprasoides), is known for its resistance and longevity, as well as being an important symbol of environmental protection in the region.

Photo: Disclosure Parque Alerce Costero

Sarv-e Abark (Iran) – this is a cypress tree, 4 thousand years old. This natural monument symbolizes resilience and longevity for the people of the country.

Photo: TruthBeethoven – Wikimedia Commons

It is 25 meters high in Abargu, Yazd Province, Iran. It is protected by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran as a National Natural Monument and is also a major tourist destination.

Photo: Julia Maudlin Wikimedia Commons

Longernive Yew (United Kingdom) – This is a yew tree located in St. DeCain’s Church in the village of Longernive, Conwy, Wales, which is 4,000 to 5,000 years old and has a thick, twisted trunk. Wide crown.

Photo: Mcol – Wikimedia Commons

Its narrow, green leaves are characteristic of yew trees, and the tree is a cultural and spiritual symbol, often associated with ancient rituals. There are graves around her.

Photo: Eirian Evans Wikimedia Commons

Oliveira de Vouver – This is an olive tree, estimated to be 3 thousand years old, located in a cemetery in the village of Ano Vouvers in the municipality of Kolymvari, Crete, Greece.

Photo: Eric Nagel Wikimedia Commons

It has a thick, twisted stem, as well as small, gray-green leaves. Despite its age, it produces olives, symbolizes the local identity and attracts tourists due to its rich history and natural beauty.

Photo: Alexey Komarov – Wikimedia Commons

Patriarch of the Forest (Brazil) – This is a pink Jequitiba. The age was estimated at 3,000 years, but recently, new research has narrowed this age down to 600 to 900 years. It is located in Vasununga State Park in Santa Rita do Pasa Cuatro, in the interior of São Paulo state.

Photo: Sturm Wikimedia Commons

A majestic tree native to the Atlantic Forest, it is known for its tall and straight trunk that can reach 50 meters in height, in addition to its diameter, which can exceed 2 meters. Its leaves are large and compound, and the tree produces small, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators.

Photo: Mauro Halfern Public Domain Wikimedia Commons

Here we include a memorial to the Senator Tree at Big Tree Park in Longwood, Florida. The 38m-tall, more than 3,000-year-old cypress tree was burned by a vandal in 2012. At that time, its estimated age was 3,500 years.

Photo: Anthony Scotti – Wikimedia Commons

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Photo: Youtube/ Ribamar Guimarães “o Bom Maranhense”