General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis tree might be the oldest living thing in Europe
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/08/19/this-tree-might-be-the-oldest-living-thing-in-europe/More than a thousand years ago, in the 940s, Europe was a very different place. The Byzantine Empire was at its peak and Vikings sailed the seas. In the midst of it all sat a little sapling, one that would grow into a tree that still thrives today.
According to scientists, a Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii) growing in the highlands of northern Greece is more than 1,075 years old, making it the oldest single tree known in Europe.
Some caveats here, before you have the chance to email me a "correction": There are many older "trees" in Europe, some of which have lived for nearly 10,000 years. But those trees are clonal, reproducing asexually over and over again throughout history. The individual trees themselves are usually just a few hundred years old, though they're genetically identical to the collectively ancient trees connected to the same root system.
"The tree we have stumbled across is a unique individual," said Stockholm University graduate student Paul J. Krusic, part of the expedition that found the tree. "It cannot rely on a mother plant, or the ability to split or clone itself, to survive. Cloning is a very effective evolutionary survival strategy. It's cool, but it's not the same. It's not the same as you or I being left alone to our own devices and living for 1,000 years, like this tree."
<more>
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
kydo
(2,679 posts)I wonder if there is a three eyed raven living in it. But a side from the GoT jokes, this is totally awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Heeeeers Johnny
(423 posts)[img][/img]
Mendocino
(7,514 posts)found an extremely rare bird, took the first known photograph of it.....
then killed it.
ansible
(1,718 posts)Europe used to be full of massive, ancient forests. Julius Caesar talked about them in his writings, of a Europe covered with huge trees way older than that.
4lbs
(6,865 posts)Both World Wars.
The Napoleonic conquests.
The frequent battles between Britain, France, and Spain.
Not to mention the Roman Empire's frequent battles as they tried to extend their grip on the world.
calimary
(81,527 posts)Great point.
There was a series called "Life After People" which speculates about what would happen if humans disappear from Earth, forever. One thing's for sure. It'd green up faster.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1433058/episodes?season=1&ref_=ttep_ep_sn_pv
Ligyron
(7,639 posts)Windy hill top, rocky soil. Survivor.
Hekate
(90,865 posts)...in, iirc, high desert in the US. Their discoverors, last I heard, have gone to great lengths to keep the location secret from all but likeminded researchers.
Igel
(35,374 posts)It grows slowly but not massively. Winds have a harder time knocking it over.
No Vested Interest
(5,167 posts)Well-known book for children.
cannabis_flower
(3,768 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,390 posts)There are yew trees that are a lot older, but they sprout multiple trunks which don't last as long individually, such as http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-oldest-tree-the-fortingall-yew-is-undergoing-a-sex-change-a6717796.html
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)There are many trees are thought to be much older but their exact age has not been established. There is a yew tree in Wales thought to be over 4000 years old