Oldest Living Tree

A Norway spruce growing in Sweden has a root system that has been growing for 9,550 years! The tree is only about 13 feet tall, but the trunk is not the first first one grown from the roots. Leif Kullman, professor at Umeå University led the team that discovered the tree’s age.
The spruce's stems or trunks have a lifespan of around 600 years, "but as soon as a stem dies, a new one emerges from the same root stock," Kullman explained. "So the tree has a very long life expectancy."

The age of the root system was determined by radiocarbon dating.
Trees much older than 9,550 years would be impossible in Sweden, because ice sheets covered the country until the end of the last Ice Age around 11,000 years ago, Kullman noted.

Link

Comments (12)

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

Granddad had one of these hanging in his tool-shed. He said it was the only tool known to man that could actually scratch Grandma's Christmas cake!
A Day Without Sunshine XL
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
The "first draft" for a Winkie spear in the Wizard of Oz. Go ahead, Google "winkie spear." You'll see what I'm talkin' about. :)
"Exterminate Me", Mens XL, Navy
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
This was an early prototype for part of a spinning hazard on Wipeout. It was eventually eliminated because the contestants' excessive bleeding caused the water to be too red.

XL Twaggies Logo
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
It's the proboscis of the mosquitoes in Minnesota that bite you in the hind end when you aren't looking. Shown actual size.

Madness Takes Its Toll XXL
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
An antique Swedish fretwork saw, for embellishing cottages in the alpine mountains. This looks like a fairly basic model.

Feature or Bug, XL, Navy
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I think that it's part of an old balance/scale tool that would have been used in a general store to weigh out whatever it was that was being purchased. The notches are not a saw; they would have been used to set the leverage of the weight hanging off the end of the arm (device shown). The way it functions is very similar to that of the arm/lever in a balance scale typically seen in a doctor's office.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I think that the proper name for this item is a Trammel Jack, and appears to be missing a part or two. It was used in the cooking process, and was not limited to the fireplace, but also used over an open fire

Neatoramabot XL blue
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
"Doh!", (slaps forehead), "It's a pot hanger!" Which means something entirely different now that pot has been legalized in the State of Washington.

Lesser of Two Weevils, Large

(I am giving the previous shirt won to a friend who has also read the Aubrey/Maturin novels)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Oldest Living Tree"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More