Europe's oldest tree is 1,230 years old

A craggy pine tree growing in southern Italy is 1,230 years old, making it the oldest tree in Europe that has been scientifically dated.

Moreover, the ancient pine seems to be living it up in its old age, researchers reported last week in the journal Ecology. Examinations show that the tree had a growth spurt in recent decades, National Geographic reports.

The discovery shows that some trees can survive for centuries even when subjected to extreme changes in climate. This ancient pine, for example, would have germinated in a cold period during Medieval times and then lived through much warmer temperatures, including periods of drought.

Analyzing its growth through so many years of shifting conditions can help scientists better understand how forests at large might respond to modern climate change, the study team says.

– Studying multi-centennial trees is highly valuable to better predict the future impact of climate change on forest ecosystems – says Maxime Cailleret from the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, who studies tree mortality.

While the tree looked very old, the team soon realized that determining its true age wouldn’t be as simple as dating its rings. The central part of the tree, which would have contained the most ancient rings, was missing.

oldest tree in Europe

pine

oldest tree

Maxime Cailleret

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research