The World's Oldest Verified Trees by Age

Determining the exact age of the oldest trees is challenging, often relying on core samples that can miss the true center, or estimates for living trees that cannot be cored. The oldest verified individual trees are typically conifers, known for their longevity and resilience in harsh environments. Here are some of the most famous and oldest:

Methuselah (Bristlecone Pine)

Species: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva)
Age: Estimated 4,856 years old (germinated 2833 BC)
Location: White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California, USA

Methuselah was long considered the oldest known non-clonal organism. Its exact location is kept secret to protect it from vandalism. It lives in a harsh, high-altitude environment that slows its growth, contributing to its extreme longevity.

Prometheus (Bristlecone Pine)

Species: Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva)
Age: Estimated 4,900 years old (cut down in 1964)
Location: Wheeler Peak, Nevada, USA

Though no longer living, Prometheus was a bristlecone pine that was cut down for research purposes in 1964. Its age was determined to be approximately 4,900 years, making it older than Methuselah at the time of its felling. This event highlighted the need for greater protection of ancient trees.

Old Tjikko (Norway Spruce)

Species: Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Age: Estimated 9,567 years old (clonal)
Location: Fulufjället Mountain, Dalarna, Sweden

Old Tjikko is a clonal tree, meaning the visible trunk is relatively young, but it is part of an ancient root system that has continuously regenerated new trunks for millennia. Its age is determined by carbon dating of root material beneath the current tree. It is considered the world's oldest known individual clonal tree.

Other Notable Ancient Trees

• Sarv-e Abarkuh (Cypress): An Iranian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) estimated to be 4,000-4,500 years old.
• Llangernyw Yew (Yew): A yew tree (Taxus baccata) in Wales, UK, estimated to be 4,000-5,000 years old.
• Gran Abuelo (Alerce): A Patagonian cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides) in Chile, estimated to be over 3,600 years old, with some research suggesting it could be over 5,000 years old.

Pro tip: The distinction between "individual" and "clonal" is crucial when discussing tree age. An individual tree grows from a single seed, while a clonal tree is part of a larger organism that has reproduced itself vegetatively over thousands of years, with the visible trunk being a relatively young offshoot of an ancient root system.