Trees tell us stories. Scientists count their rings to figure out how old they are, and when those years add up, it can be a sign of nature’s endurance in the face of change.
Trees that have stood tall through extreme weather, pests, diseases, and human interactions can impart lessons that may help protect future generations of forests. For example, one Florida southern live oak, aptly named “Big Tree,” is over 400 years old. It has been struck by lightning at least three times, survived multiple hurricanes, and remains so healthy that one Michigan non-profit is trying to clone it.
What Is the Oldest Tree?
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest tree species in the world are the bristlecone pines, found in the White Mountains of California. Their scientific name is “Pinus longaeva.”
The world’s oldest living tree is “Methuselah.” The tree’s exact age is unknown, but experts believe it has been alive for close to 5,000 years, the U.S. Forest Service told USA TODAY in an email.
Dendrochronologist Edmund Schulman found and named the tree in 1957. This bristlecone pine is named after a biblical figure who, according to legend, lived over 900 years. Before that, a geographer in 1964 cut down another ancient tree, dubbed “Prometheus,” with permission from the Forest Service. It wasn’t until after the tree was cut down that they realized it was an estimated 4,900 years old.
Extreme Survivalists
Bristlecone pines are known to scientists as “extremeophiles” because they are slow-growing and can endure harsh environmental conditions, including cold temperatures, high winds, dry soils, and short growing seasons, according to the USDA. They have also adapted to use “sectored architecture,” which means their roots only feed the part of the tree above them. When one root dies, only that section dies. The rest of the tree keeps growing around the skeletal parts, according to the National Park Service.
Protecting Methuselah
Yes, Methuselah is alive as of May 2024. According to National Geographic, scientists believe this is the planet’s oldest single living thing.
It’s in the Inyo National Forest, located between the Sierra Nevada range in California and the Nevada border. The U.S. Forest Service keeps its exact location under wraps to protect the tree from damage or vandalism, the department confirmed to USA TODAY in an email.
Climate Change Threats
Climate change is threatening the longevity of many of the world’s oldest trees. Scientists told The Washington Post they fear climate change caused by humans will create dangerous conditions of extreme heat, drought, and increased forest fires.
Saving the Oldest Trees
In Washington, residents are scrambling to save a cherry tree named “Stumpy.” Efforts like these highlight the importance of preserving our natural heritage.
Just Curious?
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