According to scientists’ calculations, an ancient tree belonging to the cypress family (Fitzroya cupressoides) known as the Alerce Milenario in Chile may have lived for over 5,000 years.
This ancient cypress tree is named Alerce Milenario, or Gran Abuelo, which means “great-grandfather.” Recently, a research team led by environmental scientist Jonathan Barichivich, currently working at the Environmental Science and Climate Laboratory in Paris, conducted a study on the tree’s age.
The diameter of Alerce Milenario is estimated to be over 4m – (Photo: GETTY IMAGES)
According to the journal Science, after using a computer simulation method combined with traditional tree-ring counting, Barichivich’s team estimates that the Alerce Milenario may have lived for over 5,000 years.
To determine the number of tree rings without harming the tree’s growth, Barichivich used a hollowing tool. The goal of the team was to manually count the rings to infer the age of the “great-grandfather.”
However, the team was only able to extract 2,400 tree rings and then had to use other methods to estimate the tree’s remaining age. They studied complete core samples from “sibling” trees of the Alerce Milenario and also calculated environmental factors and random variations that could affect the tree’s growth.
Ultimately, the team adjusted their simulation model for the possible ages of the tree, determining the probability for each age based on the most likely characteristics of the tree rings. They concluded that the probability of Alerce Milenario living over 5,000 years is as high as 80%. Specifically, the tree’s age could be around 5,484 years.
“Great-grandfather” Alerce Milenario of the Chileans – (Photo: SCIENCE)
If recognized, Alerce Milenario could break the record for the oldest living tree currently held by Methuselah – a bristlecone pine in eastern California that is currently about 4,853 years old. “We were quite surprised by the results; I thought ‘great-grandfather’ was only about 4,000 years old,” Barichivich said.
Nathan Stephenson, a distinguished scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey, remarked that Barichivich’s research is very interesting, but additional cross-checking methods will be needed before the scientific community officially recognizes the record for Alerce Milenario.
Some other biologists are more critical. According to them, the number of tree rings is the “gold standard” for determining a tree’s age. “We usually require every ring to be fully counted,” stated Dr. Ed Cook from Columbia University.
Visitors to Alerce Milenario – (Photo: CHILE TRAVEL)
According to Barichivich, the confirmed age of over 4,000 years for Alerce Milenario indicates that it is a valuable asset for Chile and needs better protection. He believes that constructing facilities for visitors to view the “great-grandfather” could damage the tree’s roots. Furthermore, the climate is becoming drier, making it harder for the tree’s roots to access water.
Pablo Cunazza Mardones, an official from Chile’s forest protection unit, stated that budget constraints also hinder efforts to protect the tree.
