It is believed that trees are
some of the longest living organisms on earth, and this disheveled spruce is no
exception. The robust ancient 16-foot-tall Norwegian tree grows high atop the
Fulufjället Mountain in Sweden and goes by the name of Old Tjikko well named
after the discovering geologist's dog. Whereas this little shrub may not look
like much, carbon dating of its root system has discovered that Old Tjikko it
is in fact a astonishing 9,550 years old. Therefore, this means that its
wizened bark and timeworn branches have seen thousands of years of human
history come and go.
Since the tree is discovered in
2004, and this specific spruce comes from a species that conventionally
decorated European homes during Christmas time, and is the planet’s
longest-living identified plant. The unbelievable longevity of the plant in
fact stems from its complicated root system and capability to clone itself. Although
the trunk may only live around six hundred years, as soon as that portion dies
off, a new one emerges from the very same root stock, letting it to frequently
regenerate. Moreover for thousands of years, the frigid Tundra climate has kept
Old Tjikko to a petite shrub; though, as weather has warmed over the past 100
years, the shrub has grown into a full-fledged tree that now stands bigheadedly,
having outlived so much else on this earth.