Top 13 Oldest Trees Around The World

In the vast tapestry of our planet’s natural history, trees stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time. Some ancient giants have weathered countless seasons, bearing witness to the rise and fall of civilizations. Join us on a journey as we unveil the top 10 oldest trees around the world, each with its own unique story etched in the rings of time.

1. Methuselah, White Mountains, California, USA (4,849 years old)

Nestled within the White Mountains, Methuselah stands as a testament to resilience. This bristlecone pine has silently observed nearly five millennia, surviving harsh climates and bearing witness to the evolution of human civilization.

2. Llangernyw Yew, Conwy, Wales (estimated 4,000 to 5,000 years old)

Tucked away in a churchyard in Conwy, Wales, the Llangernyw Yew is a living monument to centuries of history. Its gnarled branches and twisted roots have stood the test of time, providing shade for generations of worshipers.

3. Alerce, Andes Mountains, Chile (3,622 years old)

Heralding from the Andes Mountains in South America, the Alerce, or Fitzroya cupressoides, is an ancient coniferous giant. Its slow growth has allowed it to endure for over three millennia, offering a glimpse into the pre-Columbian world.

4. Prometheus, Wheeler Peak, Nevada, USA (4,900 years old)

Once standing tall in Wheeler Peak, Nevada, Prometheus, a Great Basin bristlecone pine, sadly met its demise in the 1960s. Prior to its felling, it held the title of the oldest known non-clonal organism, offering insights into the distant past.

5. Sugi of Jomon – Yakushima, Japan (2,170 to 7,200 years old)

The Jomon Sugi, a cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica), on Yakushima Island is thought to be between 2,170 to 7,200 years old. This ancient giant is the largest conifer in Japan and has become a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its age and ecological significance.

6. Sarv-e Abarqu, Yazd Province, Iran (4,000 to 5,000 years old)

Nestled in the arid landscapes of Iran, the Sarv-e Abarqu, or Cypress of Abarqu, has stood resilient for millennia. Revered for its cultural significance, it serves as a living testament to the intertwined relationship between nature and human history.

7. Pando, Fishlake National Forest, Utah, USA (estimated 80,000 years old)

Although technically a clonal colony of quaking aspen trees, Pando deserves mention for its impressive age. This interconnected grove has withstood the test of time, making it one of the oldest and heaviest living organisms on Earth.

8. Olive Tree of Vouves – Crete, Greece (2,000 to 3,000 years old)

The Olive Tree of Vouves is an ancient olive tree (Olea europaea) estimated to be at least 2,000 to 3,000 years old. Located in the village of Ano Vouves on Crete, it continues to bear fruit and is a testament to the enduring nature of the olive species.

9. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (over 2,300 years old)

With its roots deeply embedded in the cultural and religious history of Sri Lanka, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is considered the oldest living human-planted tree. It is a descendant of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

10. Old Tjikko, Fulufjället Mountain, Sweden (9,558 years old)

Hiding in plain sight on Fulufjället Mountain, Old Tjikko, a Norway spruce, holds the title of the oldest known individual clonal tree. This remarkable survivor has silently observed the changing landscapes of Scandinavia for nearly ten millennia.

11. Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses – Sicily, Italy (2,000 and 4,000 years old)

Located on the slopes of Mount Etna, the Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses is estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old. This ancient chestnut (Castanea sativa) is the largest and oldest known chestnut tree in the world, with a circumference of over 190 feet.

12. Patriarca da Floresta – Brazil (3,000 years old)

Patriarca da Floresta is a giant Cariniana legalis tree in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, believed to be around 3,000 years old. This tree species is significant both ecologically and culturally, symbolizing the richness and biodiversity of the Brazilian rainforest.

13. Te Matua Ngahere – Waipoua Forest, New Zealand (2,000 years old)

Te Matua Ngahere, meaning “Father of the Forest,” is an ancient kauri tree (Agathis australis) in New Zealand’s Waipoua Forest. It is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and is revered by the Maori people as a sacred living ancestor.