Key Takeaways
- Some of the oldest trees in the world include Methuselah, Prometheus, Pando, Sarv-e Abarquh, Alerce, Llangernyw Yew, and Jōmon Sugi.
- Some countries home to the world’s oldest trees include the United States, Iran, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
- Some of the world’s oldest trees are known to reach over 4,000 years, while others are estimated to be much older.
Did you know some of the world’s oldest trees are thousands of years old and still alive today? Interestingly, the age of these trees is more than just a number.
Trees that are hundreds to thousands of years old can provide information about past environmental conditions and even support scientific research. So, what is the oldest tree in the world? Check out the list below!
List of the Oldest Trees in the World
Did you know that you can determine a tree’s age by its annual growth rings? However, researchers have developed a new method for calculating a tree’s age using an increment borer, a narrow, T-shaped hollow steel drill with threads on the outside.
So, what are the world’s oldest trees? Here are some of the oldest trees recorded and listed not in order of age:
Methuselah
Methuselah is a bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) that is 4,850 years old.
Edmund Schulman discovered this tree in the White Mountains, California. Schulman is a scientist who studies tree rings to learn about history and the environment.
To protect Methuselah from potential damage, its exact location remains secret, and its caretakers have never published original photos.
Methuselah has lived so long because its wood is very dense and has a high resin content, making it resistant to insects, fungi, and other pests.
Prometheus
Prometheus grew in Nevada, United States. Like Methuselah, Prometheus is also a pine tree of the species Pinus longaeva. Its age is estimated to be around 4,900 years.
However, today Prometheus can only be seen in the remains of its stump because the tree has been cut down.
One account states that Donald Rusk Currey, a geographer, required a full cross-section of Prometheus to study its growth rings as part of a study on glaciology and past climate conditions.
Read also: What Is Deforestation? Definition, Impact, & How to Combat It
Pando
Pando is considered the world’s oldest clonal colony, meaning a cluster of biologically identical stems originating from the same root system. Pando’s stems belong to the quaking aspen species.
Scientists have not yet definitively determined Pando’s age. However, a study published in bioRxiv (2025) suggests that Pando may have been growing for approximately 12,000–37,000 years.
Pando spans more than 43 hectares in the Fishlake National Forest in southern Utah, United States. This tree consists of more than 40,000 stems growing above ground, with a root system estimated to weigh more than 13 million pounds.
This makes Pando one of the largest and heaviest terrestrial organisms on Earth, earning it the nickname “the trembling giant.”
However, a study published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice (2022) found that large portions of Pando are heavily grazed by herbivores such as mule deer and livestock, leading to regeneration issues.
Sarv-e Abarkuh
Sarv-e Abarkuh is an ancient cypress tree in Abarkuh, Yazd Province, Iran. Also known as the Zoroastrian Cypress, this tree stands 25 meters tall and has a circumference of 11.5 meters. It is estimated to be over 4,000 years old.
Because it has existed since the dawn of human civilization in a region near its location, Sarv-e Abarkuh is considered a national monument of Iran. In fact, this tree is also believed to be the oldest living organism in Asia still alive today.
Alerce
Alerce is the common name for Fitzroya cupressoides, a towering species of Patagonian cypress native to the Andes Mountains. This tree is also commonly called “Grand Abuelo,” which means “great-grandfather” in Spanish.
The Alerce Milenario, also known as the Gran Abuelo, is one of the oldest trees, with an estimated age of approximately 5,484 years. When cultivated, the Alerce often grows like a shrub. However, in their natural habitat, trees can reach 45 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of more than 3 meters.
Alerce leaves are small and narrow, with a distinctive white line running along their length. The wood is reddish-brown, lightweight, and durable, making it a common choice for general construction purposes.
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Llangernyw Yew
The next tree is the Llangernyw Yew in Conwy, North Wales. This tree has stood majestically in the cemetery of St. Digain Parish Church for approximately 4,000–5,000 years.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in 2002, the Tree Council designated the Llangernyw Yew as one of the “50 Great British Trees.”
Jōmon Sugi
Jōmon Sugi is the oldest and largest cedar tree on Yakushima, Japan. Jōmon Sugi is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,200 years old.
One of the world’s oldest living trees, it stands 25.3 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of 16.4 meters. However, visitors can only view its grandeur from an observation deck built 15 meters from the tree’s base.
The deck was built in response to the increasing number of visitors after Yakushima was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thus, the deck serves to prevent potential damage to the tree’s roots.
Become Warga Asri & Preserve Trees for a Greener Earth!
These are some of the world’s oldest trees that still need preservation. As part of the ecosystem, trees provide habitats for various organisms and maintain the water, carbon, and nutrient cycles.
As mentioned earlier, old trees also store information about past environmental conditions through their growth rings. This information can help scientists study long-term environmental and climate changes.
As you read in the explanation about Prometheus, Currey cut down this tree and used its scientific value for research. This phenomenon shows that nature holds a wealth of valuable information that may be lost forever once it is gone.
Therefore, preserving the environment is not an option but an obligation for everyone, including you. So, if you want to contribute to various environmental conservation programs, Indonesia Asri is the right place for you.
By becoming a Warga Asri, you can gain broader access to exciting and cutting-edge environmental conservation programs. You will also have the opportunity to meet experts from various fields and receive exclusive merchandise.
Now is the perfect time to support Earth’s sustainability. So, register now to become a Warga Asri!
Related reading: What Are Shrubs? Check Out Their Characteristics & Examples!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Still want to know more about world-record-breaking trees? Here are some commonly asked questions:
1. What Are the Largest Trees in the World?
The largest trees in the world include General Sherman, Rullah Longatyle, the Douglas fir, Tane Mahuta, and the Monkey Pod.
2. What Is the Thickest Tree in the World?
The thickest tree in the world today is El Árbol del Tule in Mexico, with a trunk diameter of about 9.38 meters, including its buttress roots.
3. Are There Any Oldest Trees in Indonesia?
Yes. The oldest trees in Indonesia are the ulin, jati denok, and bunya-bunya.
