6 oldest living trees from around the world; and where to find them

Some trees don’t just survive centuries, they survive civilizations,and they are rightfully called iconic and historic. These ancient beings have stood through geological periods, have witnessed empires change, and have watched entire cycles of human history. Yet each one tells a different story: some are single, non-clonal individuals that have lived uninterrupted for millennia, while others survive through root systems that constantly regenerate new trunks. Together, they represent the longest-living organisms on Earth. Here are six of the world’s oldest trees, and where you can find them. Get ready to be very impressed by these ancient living beings. Methuselah is estimated to be over 4,800 years old, making it one of the oldest confirmed non-clonal trees in the world. This Great Basin bristlecone pine grows in California’s Inyo National Forest, within the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of the White Mountains. Over the millennia, it has endured extreme cold, drought, and powerful storms. Scientists determined its age through dendrochronology, a method that involves carefully counting its tree rings. To protect it from damage or vandalism, the tree’s exact location is intentionally kept undisclosed. The tree is estimated to be about 9,550 years old and stands in Fulufjället National Park. Although Old Tjikko isn’t the oldest single-trunk tree in the world, it is one of the oldest known genetic individuals. This Norway spruce survives through a clonal process, meaning the trunk you see today is relatively young, while its root system has persisted for nearly 10,000 years. Radiocarbon dating of those ancient roots revealed its remarkable age. Over millennia, the tree has continuously produced new trunks as the old ones died, allowing it to endure through countless generations. This tree’s approximate age is believed to be around 2,170–7,200 years. It is located on Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. Jōmon Sugi is the most famous and oldest cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) on Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient forests and almost mystical atmosphere. While its exact age remains debated, scientists estimate anywhere between two to seven millennia. One has to go through a long trek to see this tree. Jōmon Sugi is universally respected as one of Japan’s oldest living organisms. Gran Abuelo, or "Great Grandfather," is believed to be approximately 5,484 years old. It is located in Alerce Costero National Park in Chilean Patagonia. The tree belongs to the Patagonian cypress species known as Alerce, trees often compared to American redwoods for their massive size and longevity. In 2022, researchers suggested the tree may be more than 5,000 years old based on partial ring sampling. Although the full trunk could not be cored (to avoid damage), all evidence points to this being one of the world's oldest living organisms. Sarv-e Abarqu’s approximate age is around 4,000 years, based on historical and scientific estimates. It is located in the Yazd Province in central Iran. Sarv-e Abarqu is a monumental Persian cypress, and is one of Iran’s most treasured natural landmarks. Its massive trunk, expansive crown, and unusual shape hint at a very long life. However, the tree’s exact dendrochronological data is unavailable, as the center of the tree is too old and dense to core. This ancient olive tree is believed to be at least 2,000–3,000 years old. It might be older as well. When you visit Ano Vouves village in Crete, make time for this tree. The Olive Tree of Vouves is considered one of the oldest and most remarkable olive trees still bearing fruit. Scientists confirm a minimum age of 2,000 years through tree-ring analysis, though many experts believe the tree could be up to 3,000 or even 4,000 years old based on local archaeological context. Its massive, twisted trunk reflects centuries of natural weathering, and its branches still produce olives that villagers harvest every season.