The World’s Oldest Trees Are Astonishing

The oldest tree in the world is over 5000 years old.

Trees are majestic beings, no matter their age. But elders are to be respected, so trees that have been around for thousands of years definitely earn our admiration. Especially since some of the world’s most ancient trees are older than the pyramids of Giza!

Seven of the ten trees with the most years under their belt are located in the U.S. The other three are in Canada, Chile and Sri Lanka.

These are the ten oldest trees in the world — you’ll be surprised by their beauty.

10. Unnamed Tree, Canada

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Location: Kananaskis, Alberta

Species: Subalpine larch

Age: 1,948 years old

You can go unrecognized even if you have lived longer than almost any other living organism on the planet. Case in point: the unnamed 1,948-years-old tree that resides in Kananaskis, Canada.

We assume that the subalpine larch is impressive, but you’ll have to be a scientist with connections to be able to find it.

9. BLK232, United States

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Location: Black River, North Carolina

Species: Bald cypress

Age: 2,089 years old

Tall cypress trees are a signature of North Carolina’s Black River. People heading out in kayaks may be impressed by the beautiful bulky trees they encounter on the way, but not many who encounter BLK232 would know it for what it is: a 2,000-year-old tree.

As impressive as that is, there is yet another bald cypress on this list that predates this tree by over 600 years.

8. SHP 7, United States

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Location: Sierra Nevada, California

Species: Foxtail pine

Age: 2,110 years old

The Sierra Nevadas — and much of California — are blessed with large and old trees, so this is not the last time you’ll see the state on here.

The scientifically named SHP 7 is a foxtail pine that has been around for about 2,100 years, meaning it was part of the ancient world.

7. Bennett Juniper, United States

Dave Bunnell / Wikimedia Commons

Location: Sierra Nevada, California

Species: Sierra juniper

Age: 2,200 years old

Unlike some of its counterparts, Bennet Juniper’s location is public. Head to the Sierra Nevadas and find Sardine Meadow, then look for this specific tree to get a picture with it.

Standing at 78 feet tall, the tree is as impressive as it is old.

6. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Sri Lanka

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi sacred fig tree in Sri Lanka

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Location: Anuradhapura, North Central Province

Species: Sacred fig

Age: 2,308 years old

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the only non-American tree to make it to the top 10 but, most importantly, it is also a sacred tree. It is said to have come from a sapling of the Bodhi tree.

Buddhists believe the Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, so the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi has some impressive roots.

You can visit this religious landmark in Sri Lanka.

5. CB-90-11, United States

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Location: Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Species: Bristlecone pine

Age: 2,464 years old

With a name that makes it sound like it deserves a role in the “Star Wars” franchise, CB-90-11 lives in Colorado’s magnificent Rocky Mountains.

It isn’t the last bristlecone pine you’ll see on here — the species has apparently found the actual fountain of youth.

4. BLK227, United States

Small bald cypress tree in North Carolina

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Location: Black River, North Carolina

Species: Bald cypress

Age: 2,647 years old

BLK277 hid in plain sight until 2019, when a team of scientists discovered it and found it to be the fourth-oldest tree on the planet. Because research is still going on, the poor tree has not yet been baptized with a proper name.

Soon, however, this native North Carolinian shall get a proper introduction into the world of tree lovers.

3. Gran Abuelo, Chile

Alerce milenario, or Gran Abuelo, in Chile

Rafael Acuna Rios / Getty Images

Location: Cordillera Pelada, Los Rios

Species: Fitzroya cypress

Age: 3,651 years old

The only South American tree to make this list, Gran Abuelo rises to the sky in Chile. Its name appropriately means “Great Grandfather,” evoking the respect it deserves.

Some researchers have argued that Gran Abuelo is actually older than it is given credit for, but their claims haven’t been confirmed, so we will stick to official numbers. Plus, this special being is the oldest non-pine tree on Earth, which is still a pretty solid title.

2. Methuselah, United States

Bristlecone pine in Methuselah Grove in California

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Location: White Mountains, California

Species: Bristlecone pine

Age: 4,853 years old

Methuselah was thought to be the oldest known tree in the world until 2013. Named after Noah’s grandfather, this majestic being can be found in the White Mountains of California, where it was born (relatively) close to the end of the last glacial period.

Basically, the characters of “Ice Age” could’ve very well seen this beautiful tree in their journeys.

1. Old Hara, United States

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Location: White Mountains, California

Species: Bristlecone pine

Age: 5,069 years old

Good Old Hara was only discovered in 2013, becoming the oldest non-clonal living tree to have ever been found. Previously, the honor was held by a Nevada tree named Prometheus, which was 4,900 years old. The tree was tragically felled by a geography student in 1964.

Old Hara is not too far from its runner-up, Methuselah. You can certainly visit the White Mountains and try to find it, but the location of both trees is kept top secret to protect them from the jerks of this world.