What is the oldest tree species still in existence today?

Called “a living fossil” by some botanists, the ‘Ginkgo biloba’ (which may also be spelled ‘Gingko’ and is also known as the maidenhair tree) has been around, more or less unchanged, for well over a million years. That means it existed during the Middle Jurassic period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Native to China, it is also the only known tree species today without any living relatives. The order in which it belongs, Ginkgoales, first appeared some 290 million years ago, but over time the other species within the order became extinct, leaving the ginkgo the only remaining plant in the order.

Archeologists and botanists know that the gingko is fairly unchanged, due to the discovery of fossils with fan-shaped leaves which are surprisingly similar to those of the contemporary species. The fossils date back to the Middle Jurassic Period, approximately 170 million years ago - the tree has deep roots indeed!

The record holder for the actual “oldest tree in the world” is a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) near Wheeler Peak in the Rocky Mountains in Nevada. That tree, dubbed ‘Prometheus’, was cut down in the 1960s. A study of the tree found 4,862 growth rings at the center. However, since harsh conditions may have prevented the tree from forming a ring every year, Prometheus’ age was estimated to be 4,900 years old. Those involved did not know of its world-record age before the cutting, but the circumstances and decision-making process remain controversial.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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4 Comments

Allan McIntosh

For those of you who are saying bristle cone pine you’ve misread the question. The important part is (still in existence).

Rafi Manory

The author says bristecone pine and answers gingko. This is preposterous, "The record holder for the actual “oldest tree in the world” is a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) near Wheeler Peak in the Rocky Mountains in Nevada. That tree, dubbed ‘Prometheus’, was cut down in the 1960s. A study of the tree found 4,862 growth rings at the center. However, since harsh conditions may have prevented the tree from forming a ring every year, Prometheus’ age was estimated to be 4,900 years old. Those involved did not know of its world-record age before the cutting, but the circumstances and decision-making process remain controversial."