Some trees are more than just simple organisms: they are ancient living witnesses of entire civilizations and natural archives that preserve information about the climate, fires, and changes in ecosystems.
Among them stand out two specimens that defy the passage of time: Methuselah in the United States, and the Millennial Larch in Chile.
Methuselah: the bristlecone pine of California
According to National Geographic, Methuselah is considered the oldest tree on the planet. It belongs to the species Pinus longaeva (bristlecone pine) and grows in a remote site within the bristlecone forest, in Inyo County, California (USA).
- Estimated age: around 4,850 years or more, according to dendrochronology studies.
- Secret location: the U.S. Forest Service keeps its coordinates hidden to prevent vandalism.
- Extreme conditions: grows in poor soils, at high altitudes, with constant cold and wind.
- Resilient wood: dense and not very vulnerable to pests and diseases.
- Slow growth: each ring can represent minimal years of development, a survival strategy in hostile environments.
Methuselah is a twisted tree, about 6 meters tall, that appears more dead than alive, a true natural sculpture. Its longevity reflects resilience, but also vulnerability to climate change, more frequent fires, and species invasion.
The Millennial Larch: Chile’s “Great Grandfather”
The story becomes complicated when scientists point to another candidate for the title of the oldest tree: the Millennial Larch, known as the “Great Grandfather,” located in the Alerce Costero National Park, in the Los Ríos Region, Chile.
- Species: Fitzroya cupressoides, native to the Valdivian and Andean-Patagonian forests.
- Dimensions: 28 meters tall and a trunk 4 meters in diameter.
- Bark: thick, fibrous, chestnut-colored with longitudinal grooves.
- Adaptation: survived millennia in a humid ravine that protected it from fires and overexploitation.
- Scientific importance: considered a “time capsule” that holds information about climate changes and planet adaptation.
- Protection: restricted visits to prevent damage and ensure its conservation.
The age of the Millennial Larch is estimated at over 5,000 years, which would make it the oldest tree in the world. However, this figure is based on statistical models with partially extracted cores, not on fully verified rings, which generates skepticism in the scientific community.
Trees as climate archives
Both Methuselah and the Millennial Larch are natural archives of the planet’s history. Their growth rings contain information about:
- Ancient fires.
- Climate variations.
- Changes in ecosystems.
These trees are essential for understanding the resilience of nature and the challenges it faces in the face of climate change.
Methuselah and the Millennial Larch are symbols of longevity and resilience, but also reminders of the fragility of ecosystems. Their protection is vital to preserve not only their biological and cultural value but also the scientific information they hold about the Earth’s climate history.
The debate over which is truly the oldest tree in the world remains open, but what is certain is that both represent an invaluable natural heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
