Tree Basic

Question:

What are the oldest trees in the world? How are their ages determined?

Answer:

Oldest trees

The verified oldest measured ages are (Gymnosperm Database):

• Great Basin Bristlecone Pine Pinus longaeva: 4844 years
• Alerce Fitzroya cupressoides: 3622 years
• Giant Sequoia Sequoia sempervirens: 3266 years
• Huon-pine Lagarostrobos franklinii: 2500 years
• Rocky Mountains Bristlecone Pine Pinus aristata: 2435 years

Other species suspected of reaching exceptional age include European Yew Taxus baccata (probably over 3000 years) and Western Redcedar Thuja plicata.