The Ancient Spruce: Europe's Oldest Tree and Its Companions
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Chapter 1: The Remarkable Old Tjikko
To find the oldest tree in Europe, one must journey to the Dalarna region of Sweden, near the Norwegian border. This area is home to not just Europe's oldest tree but also the world's oldest living specimen, which is over 9,500 years old.
Discovered in 2004 by scientists Leif Kullman and Lisa Öberg from Umeå University, this ancient spruce, affectionately named “Old Tjikko” after Kullman's late dog, has roots that have been dated to an astonishing 9,565 years. This age suggests it survived the last Ice Age.
Old Tjikko is a clonal tree, meaning it can produce new stems over the centuries from a single zygote. After a trunk’s demise, a new one can sprout after about 600 years, allowing this spruce to persist through the ages.
In February 2023, Old Tjikko made headlines when heavy snowfall and strong winds caused it to lose a portion of its height, decreasing by one meter. Thankfully, park officials confirmed that the tree remains in good health.
Section 1.1: Other Ancient Trees in Europe
While Old Tjikko is a true marvel, other ancient trees in Europe deserve mention. The Llangernyw Yew in Wales, standing near St. Dygain’s Church, is estimated to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest trees globally, despite some debate about its exact age.
Another notable contender is the yew tree found in the Fortingall village cemetery in Scotland, thought to be over 2,000 years old, and possibly as old as 5,000 years. However, determining its precise age is challenging due to its decayed interior.
In southern Italy's Pollino National Park, a pine tree named Italus has reached an age of over 1,230 years, having sprouted in the year 789. Research from 2018 confirmed that this ancient tree continues to grow.
A significant tourist attraction in Crete is the "monumental olive tree of Vouves," believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old, and it still yields olives.
Section 1.2: Fascinating Tree Facts
The coast redwood known as the Hyperion holds the title of the tallest tree in the world, reaching approximately 116 meters in the United States. In contrast, a fallen mountain ash from Mount Baw Baw in Australia measured 143 meters in 1885, marking the tallest known tree ever.
The Hippomane mancinella is recognized as the most dangerous tree globally, while in Morocco, goats are known to climb argan trees to feast on their fruit, scaling heights of up to 10 meters.
In 2021, a petrified tree was discovered on the Greek island of Lesbos, estimated to be as old as 20 million years, unearthed during roadwork in the Petrified Forest geopark.
Research indicates there are around 73,000 tree species on Earth, with over 9,000 still unclassified. The earliest trees, known as cladoxylopsids, resembled celery stalks and reached about 10 meters in height.
Lastly, ancient human ancestors were well-equipped for life among the branches of trees, showcasing our deep-rooted connection to the natural world.
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