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5 Oldest Trees In The World And Where They Are Found

Published

7 months ago

December 21, 2024

Trees are more than just a component of our surroundings; they are quiet reminders of our planet’s past. Consider a tree that has endured innumerable storms, survived the rise and fall of civilisations, and is still thriving today. These old trees are living memories that provide us with important historical context and a special link to the past.

These trees, which range from lone survival on isolated mountaintops to vast forests bound together by a single root system, teach us the value of conservation, adaptability, and resilience.

Here are the 5 oldest trees in the world and where they are found.

1. Pando (The Trembling Giant)

Pando, a remarkable clonal colony of quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides) in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, is more than simply a single tree. Pando, which is said to be about 80,000 years old, covers more than 106 acres and shares a single, enormous underground root system. Technically, it is a single organism that is constantly renewing itself, even if it appears to be a forest of separate trees.

2. The Jurupa Oak

The clonal shrub known as the Jurupa Oak grows in the dry hills of Riverside County, California, in the United States. More than 13,000 years old, this hardy tree survives in a harsh climate. In contrast to tall trees, the Jurupa Oak grows as a low, sprawling bush and reproduces by cloning itself. It can recover and endure despite droughts, wildfires, and other adverse circumstances thanks to this technique. Its extraordinary longevity is evidence of nature’s adaptability.

3. Old Tjikko

The Norway spruce (Picea abies), known as Old Tjikko, which is situated atop Sweden’s Fulufjället Mountain, is roughly 9,558 years old. The tree’s root system is around 10,000 years old, although the visible portion is only 600 years old. Old Tjikko is a non-clonal tree that has survived by vegetative cloning for thousands of years as a single organism. This tree has survived the years by shedding and growing back its trunk, which is part of its survival strategy, and it is a living reminder of the post-Ice Age world.

4. Alerce Milenario (Gran Abuelo)

The Alerce Milenario, also known as “Gran Abuelo,” stands tall as a reminder of the passage of time deep within Chile’s Alerce Costero National Park. Over 5,400 years old, this Patagonian cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides) is an essential component of its ecosystem. Its yearly growth rings give researchers insight into the climate of the past. However, this exquisite tree is seriously threatened by illegal logging and deforestation, which highlights the need for conservation efforts.

5. Llangernyw Yew

The Llangernyw Yew, situated in the churchyard of St. Digain’s Church in Wales, UK, is a living connection to the distant past. This ancient yew (Taxus baccata) is thought to be around 4,000 years old and has seen the shift from Celtic to Christian customs. It has a mysterious atmosphere because of its hollow and gnarled trunk, and it is a symbol of endurance and resiliency in local history and culture.

These trees are living symbols of history, resiliency, and the wonders of nature; they are much more than just plants. Each of these old trees, from the legendary Llangernyw Yew to the expansive Pando colony, provides a window into the past.
VANGUARD

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Russia Blacklists Yale University In Latest Crackdown

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7 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Editor

Russia has labelled Yale University an “undesirable organisation”, authorities said Tuesday, part of the Kremlin’s crackdown on critics that has accelerated during Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine.

Being declared “undesirable” effectively bans entities from operating in Russia and makes anyone who works with them liable to prosecution.

According to the prosecutor general, Yale’s activities were aimed at “violating territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, imposing an international blockade on the state and undermining its economic foundations.”

The prosecutors singled out Yale’s School of Global Affairs, accusing it of preparing opposition activists to organise protests in the country.

President Vladimir Putin’s top contender, late opposition activist Alexei Navalny who died in prison in unclear circumstances in February 2024, was among the school’s fellows.

The US university joins international organisations and nonprofits such as Amnesty International, British Council, Greenpeace, Elton John’s AIDS Foundation which Moscow has labelled as undesirable.

Russia has also put on the list independent media outlets such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Meduza.

AFP

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Man Dies After Being Sucked Into Plane Engine

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7 hours ago

July 8, 2025

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A man died after being sucked into the engine of a plane preparing to take off at Bergamo Airport in northern Italy Tuesday, an airport spokesperson told AFP.

The victim, who was “neither a passenger nor an airport employee”, forced his way onto the runway, where he was “pursued” in vain by airport security, according to the spokesperson for airport management company SACBO.

According to Italy’s Corriere della Sera daily, the man — in his thirties — burst into the airport, then used an emergency exit to rush onto the runway toward an aircraft preparing for take-off.

Earlier in the day, Spanish airline Volotea wrote on social media that its flight from Bergamo to Asturias in Spain was involved in an “incident” at 10:35 am (0835 GMT).

“One person not onboard and not affiliated with the company was seriously injured. All 154 passengers and six crew are safe,” it said on X.

“We are doing everything possible to support the affected passengers and crew, providing them with psychological support, while working in close coordination with the Italian authorities.”

The plane was an Airbus A319, according to tracking website Flightradar24.

Flights were suspended at Bergamo Airport, Italy’s third largest by passenger volume, following the incident, but resumed at midday, according to SACBO.

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Full List: 3 African Countries Ranked Among World’s Best Countries

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7 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Editor

Three African countries: Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa have earned spots among the world’s top-ranked countries in the 2024 Best Countries Rankings, published by U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and global marketing firm WPP.

According to the report, Egypt leads the continent at 35th globally, followed by Morocco at 39th and South Africa at 40th.

The rankings are determined not by economic statistics alone but by global perceptions.

Over 17,000 people—including business decision-makers, university-educated elites, and general citizens—evaluated 87 countries across 73 different attributes, grouped into ten key categories: Adventure, Agility, Cultural Influence, Entrepreneurship, Heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power, Quality of Life, and Social Purpose.

To qualify for inclusion, countries needed to meet certain thresholds in GDP, tourism, and foreign direct investment (FDI). Final scores were correlated with GDP per capita (PPP), providing a snapshot of a nation’s perceived prosperity and global standing.

“This project is based on a proprietary perceptions survey that reaches thousands of citizens across the globe,” said Elliott Davis, a reporter for U.S. News & World Report.

“How a nation is viewed by others can play a big role in its global standing.”

Switzerland took the top spot for the third consecutive year, praised for its stability, entrepreneurship, and high quality of life.

“It’s no surprise that a stable, consistent country like Switzerland would top our rankings seven times in nine years,” Davis added.

The United States made its highest-ever appearance in the rankings at third, driven by improvements in its “Open for Business” and “Movers” subrankings, while Japan claimed second place for its innovation, influence, and advanced economy.

Other noteworthy shifts included China, which rose to 16th, and Ukraine, which fell 12 places to 80th—the biggest drop in this year’s report.