There are approximately 3.04 trillion trees in the world. That’s more than the stars in the sky. Many of these trees have been around for centuries, and some even for millennia. With the trees on this list surpassing more than a thousand years of age, one can say they were very much around when different generations of ancient people walked the earth. If only they could talk, these trees would have had a lot to reveal to humans about the history of the earth throughout the thousands of years they have lived. For those curious to see these ancient living organisms in person, here are places around the world where you can find the world’s oldest trees.
10 The Senator, Longwood, Florida - 3,500 Years
Up until 2012, the Senator was one of the oldest trees in the world and also the biggest bald cypress tree in the world. It had a height of 36 m and a width of 10.7 m. Its age was estimated to be 3,500 years, and it would have been more than 10 years older in 2022, except that a woman high on smoke carelessly started a fire that consumed the tree. The tree had been around far before Tutankhamun became Pharoah and more than a thousand years before the Colosseum was thought of being built. Even though no tree can replace the importance of the Senator, a clone of the tree named “the Phoenix” has been planted in the park.
9 Hundred Horse Chestnut Tree, Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy - 2,000 - 4,000 Years
With its age estimated to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, the Hundred Horse Chestnut is the oldest chestnut tree in the world. The tree’s massive 58 m circumference also makes it the largest chestnut tree in the world. That particular circumference was even proclaimed by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the Greatest Tree Girth Ever. Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, is located a few miles from this tree, and the tree itself is believed to have survived and even benefited from the volcano's past eruptions.
8 Olive Tree Of Vouves, Ano Vouves, Crete, Greece - 2,000 - 4,000 Years
Olive trees also grow to incredibly old ages, and the Olive tree of Vouves is proof of just how true that is. The actual age is disputed, but estimates place the age of this tree between 2,000 and 4,000 years. For this, it is now known as the world’s oldest olive tree and obviously one of the oldest trees in the world. From the rough and wrinkled appearance of the alone, one can tell that this tree is indeed old and was probably planted during the Bronze Age Minoan civilization.
7 Sarv-e Abarkuh, Iran - 4,000 - 5,000 Years
Located in the small Iranian city of Abarkuh, Sarv-e is a Persian Cypress tree that’s considered to be one of the oldest trees in the world. The tree rises to a height of 25 m, and its trunk is about 11.5 m wide. The tree is said to have germinated as far back as 3000 BCE, making it approximately 5,000 years old, although the exact date is not known. Sarn-e Abarkuh is still living, and it is one of the most visited attractions in the city of Abarkuh.
6 Llangernyw Yew, Conwy, Wales - 4,000 - 5,000 Years
Located in North Wales’ Llangernyw village is an ancient tree classified under the Yew family and estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years of age. The still-living tree stands in the churchyard of St. Digain Church and was even named one of the city's Great British trees in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
5 Methuselah, Eastern California, USA - 4,842 Years
Methuselah is considered to be the oldest person to have ever lived, according to the Bible, which is why his name has now been awarded to one of the oldest trees in the world. Located in California’s Inyo National Forest, this Great Basin bristlecone pine tree is one of the oldest trees in the world, with a mind-blowing age of 4,842 years. The tree still lives, and such an important thing deserves to be protected, which is why its actual location has remained hidden from the public.
4 Prometheus, Wheeler Peak, Nevada USA- 5,000 Years
Prometheus is said to have lived for approximately 5,000 years old at the time of its dating in the 1960s. The tree was unfortunately cut down by a scientist who was trying to retrieve his borer that had gotten stuck within the ancient tree. While the tree is no longer alive, its remains can still be found on Wheeler Peak. A slab sample of the tree is also on display at the Great Basin Visitor Center.
3 Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, USA - 5,062 Years
Bristlecone Pines are the oldest known trees in the world. Before 2012, Methuselah - a bristlecone pine, was considered to be the oldest living tree in the world with an estimated age of 4,842, but that record was shattered with the dating of another bristle pine tree in the same area by Tom Harlan. The results from this dating revealed a tree that has lived for approximately 5,062 years of age as of 2010, making it the new recipient of the “oldest tree in the world” title. Tom Harlan, unfortunately, passed away three years later, and no one knows where the tree specimen he dated is located. This makes the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine unconfirmed as the world’s oldest tree. Therefore, Methuselah remains the oldest confirmed tree in the world. These trees can be found in Inyo County, California but the actual location remains hidden from the public.
2 Gran Abuelo, Alerces Costero National Park, Chile - 5,400 Years
With an estimated age of 5,400 years, a certain Alerce Tree in Los Alerces National Park now poses to be named the oldest tree in the world. After its discovery, the tree was named Gran Abuelo, and there are many other similar trees in the forest that are also believed to be more than a thousand years old.
1 Jomon Sugi, Yakushima, Japan - 2,000 - 7,000 Years
Imagine a tree so old that it is estimated to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old. That’s Jomon Sugi. Such an estimate suggests that the tree could be 5,000 or even 6,000 years old. The idea of Japan (as a country) had not even been born at that time, and this no doubt places the tree on the list of the oldest trees in the world. The tree itself is impressive when seen in person, although those who wish to see the tree must complete a 10-hour hike through a forest area.