Oldest Trees on Earth

Also known as Gran Abuelo (Great Grandfather), this ancient tree stands deep within a Patagonian rainforest, where cool, wet conditions slow decay and promote longevity.

Over thousands of years, it has thickened into a massive trunk with tight growth rings, each marking a season in a changing climate.

Although its exact age is not confirmed, Alerce Milenario is considered a contender for the title of the oldest tree.

Found in California’s Sierra Nevada National Monument, this juniper has a wide-spreading canopy and dense, gnarled wood. For many years, researchers have been intrigued by the enigma of the tree's true age, and it has been the subject of much research in the endeavour to determine this.

Growing in a desert region, this Mediterranean Cypress has survived in a climate of intense heat and limited water. The longevity of the tree is supported by the durability of its wood and the cultural protection it has received as a revered local landmark.

S'Ozzastru is one of the oldest olive trees in the world. In the area known as "Karana", it has been declared a Natural Monument and was included in the Ministerial Decree for the Region of Sardinia, among other veteran trees.

Muir Snag, in the Converse Basin Grove of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, California, is one of the world's tallest standing dead trees in the world. The tree was destroyed between 1892 and 1918 as a result of logging operations in this area.

Also in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, The President is famous for its immense size and massive canopy. Its trunk rises in a near-perfect column, and its branches extend outward to form one of the largest tree canopies by volume in the world.

Located near Kyle Canyon, Nevada, this Great Basin Bristlecone Pine survives at high elevation in rocky soil. The tree's irregular, weathered trunk reflects centuries of exposure to wind and snow, characteristic of this particular species.

The largest known single-stemmed tree by volume, General Sherman measures 84 meters high with a 30-foot girth at the base. Its trunk contains 52,513 cubic feet of wood, making it a living monument to growth, strength, and resilience.

Growing in a small churchyard in Perthshire, Scotland, this yew has multiple twisted trunks and a wide canopy. This is thought to be the oldest tree in the United Kingdom and potentially even Europe. Some unverified estimates even range from 5,000-9,000 y/o! This is a true example of the yew tree as a symbol of immortality.

Planted in 288 BC, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the most sacred relics for Buddhists worldwide, located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This sacred fig tree is believed to be a southern branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) attained enlightenment. It is a major pilgrimage site and is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

Located in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, this holly tree stands as a solitary sentinel with a thick trunk and dense foliage. It has survived in arid conditions, symbolising endurance in one of the harshest climates for ancient trees.

This Rocky Mountain Juniper is located within Logan Canyon in the Cache National Forest, Utah, United States. Although previously believed to be over 3,000 y/o, further analysis in the 1950s revealed it is not as old as once thought. Still, an impressive age for this relatively small tree species.

In Pollino National Park, Southern Italy, you can find the Bosnian Pine tree Italus - the oldest scientifically dated tree in Europe. It is named after the legendary king of the Oenotrians.

O Patriarca (The Patriarch) is a specimen of pink jequitibá tree located in the Vassununga State Park, Brazil. According to carbon dating analysis, Patriarca was born before the arrival of the Portuguese in the country. It is officially the oldest tree in Brazil, and had already been estimated to be over 3,000 y/o in previous studies.

The park is home to the largest concentration of pink jequitibá trees, including the largest specimen in São Paulo accessible to the public.

Another Banyan tree, this time it is the largest tree single tree canopy in the world. Located in Andhra Pradesh, India, this impressive tree covers about five acres with a circumference of 846 metres! Additionally, the tree is a significant spiritual site with a temple at its centre, dedicated to a woman named Thimmamma.

This English Oak in Powys, Wales, is estimated to be around 500 y/o - a particularly impressive age for this species! It has a girth of over 6 metres and has stood on farmland owned by the same family since at least the 1600s.