TOP 5 · Which tree can live the longest?

Trees can live for hundreds, even thousands of years: Tasmania has stands of Huon pine thought to be 10,500 years old. What is the oldest individual documented tree?

Western bristlecone pine 4853 years.

Methuselah is a western bristlecone pine that grows at an altitude of some 3000 metres in the White Mountains of California. By counting the growth rings of wood samples, scientists determined its age at 4853 years, making Methuselah older even than cuneiform, the world’s first written language developed in Babylonia.

Fitzroya cypress 3651 years.

This cypress is not only the longest-living but also the highest tree species in South America: it can grow 60+ metres high. In 1993, scientists mapped the growth rings of a particularly large tree, determing its age to be 3622 years. Consequently the tree is now an impressive 3651 years old.

Swamp cypress 2627 years.

In the Black River swamps of North Carolina, scientists in 2019 discovered a series of very old swamp cypresses. The oldest one is now 2627 years old. Apart from giving away their age, the trees’ growth rings include detailed data about the climate of SouthEastern USA.

Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine 2465 years.

The Rocky Mountains include a special bristlecone pine species. In 1992, scientists found no fewer than 12 individuals that were 1600+ years old. They dated the oldest one to be 2435 years old. According to scientists, dry conditions have made the 12 trees age more slowly.

Przewalski's juniper 2243 years.

In 2019, scientists analysed all the trees in China that were dated over 1000 years old. Of these 98 trees, the oldest was a Przewalski's juniper that is now 2243 years old. According to scientists, the trees grow particularly old high above sea level.