Tree exists on Earth's surface since the beginning of our world formed 400 million years ago. Scientist believed that the tree is a creature has long flourished and covered the Earth's surfaces before the age of dinosaurs that reign our world back to 240 million years ago. Even now, tree that ever existed in our modern world has trembling us with their enormous and extremely long age capability. Here I'm proudly present you "the oldest", "the largest" and "the highest" trees in the world.
THE OLDEST
Picea abies (Norway spruce)
Modern scientist has been shocked by the discovery of the oldest tree could ever attained. Back to 9550 year old, the tree nicknamed "old tjikko" or Norway spruce (Picea abies) tree has survived a very great test of time epoch to stand in our modern day present. The tree is first discovered at Fulu Mountain, Dalarna Province, Sweden.
If we refer to the picture above, "old tjikko" or spruce tree that aged for 9550 year old just a small tree that grows on the hilly terrain and there is no sign of ancient forms.
What makes this magnificent Christmas tree credited as the oldest tree in the world? It is true that the tree that appears in the picture is so young and the answer for the puzzle is its root systems. Scientist agreed that carbon-dated of the tree's root system shows the magnificent 9550 year old back.
Everyone is wondering, how could possibly this tree stand for a very long time? Many experts in forestry and botany believed that this "old tjikko" has a unique capability to clone itself. That is why the outer body or trunk and leaves are so young but beneath it is so ancient.
Pinus longaeva (Bristlecone pine)
Methuselah is a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) tree growing high in the White Mountains of Inyo County in eastern California, USA. Its measured age of 4842 years makes it the world's oldest known living non-clonal organism. The ancient tree is named after Methuselah, a Biblical figure having the longest mentioned lifespan in the Bible of 969 years (wikipedia.com).
An older bristlecone specimen, WPN-114 and nicknamed Prometheus, was more than 4844 years old when cut down in 1964, with an estimated germination date of 2880 B.C. Another bristlecone tree, approximately 4600 years old, is still living (wikipedia.com)
THE LARGEST
Sequiadendron giganteum (Giant sequioa)
The General Sherman is a giant sequioa tree located in the Giant Forest of Sequioa National Park in Tulare County, California, USA. By volume, it is the larges known living single stem tree on Earth.
The General Sherman Tree is neither the tallest known living tree on Eart (that distinction belongs to the Hyperion tree, a Coast redwood, nor is it the widest (both the largest cypress and largest baobab have a greater diameter), nor is it the oldest known living tree on Earth (that distinction belongs to the Methuselah tree, a Great Basin bristlecone pine). With a height of 83.8 meters (275 ft), a diameter of 7.7 meters (25 ft), an estimated bole volume of 1487 cubic meters (52,513 cu ft), and an estimated age of 2300 - 2700 years, it is however among the tallest, widest and longest-lived of all trees on the planet (wikipedia.com).
We can clearly see on the picture above how enormous its basal part could ever attained to support its mammoth size and weight.
THE TALLEST
Sequioadendron sempervirens (Coastal redwood)
Hyperion is the name of a Coast Redwood in Northern California that was measured at 115.61 meters (379.3 ft), which ranks it as the world's tallest known living tree. Despite its great height, Hyperion is not the largest known coast redwood; that distinction belongs to the Lost Monarch tree.
Hyperion was discovered August 25, 2006 by naturalist Chris Atkins and Micheal Taylor. The tree was verified as standing 115.55 meters (379.1 ft) tall by Stephen Sillett. The tree was found in a remote area of Redwood National and State Parks purchased in 1978. The exact location of the tree has not been revealed to the public for fear that human traffic would upset the ecosystem the tree inhabits. The tree is estimated to contain 502 cubic meters (17,700 cu ft) of wood, and to be roughly 700 - 800 years old. Researchers stated that woodpecker damage at the top prevented the tree from reaching 380 feet (115.8 m) (wikipedia.com).
All praise due to Allah, the Almighty Creator who creates all of us including trees. Save our forest to save our future generation!
With regard:
Mr. Zaril Faizal b. Zaral Gaffar
Woodtech Lecturer
9 November 2011
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