The 5 Longest Living Trees    

Trees are described as a permanent plant with woody single stem or trunk that grows significantly in height and also includes minor branches that are off the ground. They are essential elements in the world's environment providing people a lot of advantages such as preventing erosion, providing shelter through their foliage, producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and regulating the earth's temperature. Trees are also factors used in agriculture for groves or plantation and landscaping for artistic and visual appeal. Their wood is used as building materials and in other developing nations is a main source of energy.

The age of trees are established through their growth rings. These rings can be seen when the trees are cut down or when cores are taken from its bark in the hub of the tree. Getting the correct age of trees is probable for those in seasonal climates and those that have growth rings. Trees that are in consistent non-seasonal humid type of weathers do produce clear-cut growth rings except for those whose hub are solid. A lot of trees die of decay as they become empty due to old age. Estimating the age of some tree species were made on the basis of assuming their present growth pace.

But to let you in to more significant information about trees, here are the 5 longest living trees in the world.

1. Methuselah

Found in the Inyo National Forest, California, USA, Methuselah belongs to the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, whose scientific name is Pinus longaeva. It was calculated to have sprouted in 2832 BC and when tested in 1957 was 4,789 years old. It is recognized as the oldest non-clonal living organism in the world. To date, Methuselah is now 4.841 years old.

Protecting the tree from the scrutiny of people who would disturb it by taking pictures and worst from defacing it, Methuselah's specific locality and distinctiveness is undisclosed. This tree has even lived five times longer than Methuselah (where it got its name), a Biblical figure who had lived for 969 years.

2. Alerce

With an age of 3,639, the Alerce tree sprouts in the Valdivian Coastal Reserve, South Chile. This tree can only be seen in the moderate forests of Chile and grows together with other Fitzroya cupressoides. Alerce trees can live up to 4,000 years. It is also named Andean Birch trees. In 1993, the old Alerce tree was confirmed as the world's 2nd longest living tree via its growth rings.

3. Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum):

The giant sequoia is the single living species in the Sequoiadendron genus. It is also one of the three species of coniferous trees, which is also acknowledged as redwoods. Sequoia generally pertains to Sequoiadendron. They normally grow in woods on the Sierra Nevada Mountains western inclines of California.

In terms of volume, they are the largest trees in the world with an average height of 50 - 85 meters or 160 - 279 feet and a diameter of 6 - 8 meters or 20 - 26 feet. The awl-shaped leaves measure 3 - 6 mm in length and are spirally assembled on its shoots. Four to seven centimeters in length are its seed cones that grow in 18 - 20 months; however they are characteristically green and are close up to 20 years.

The giant sequoia is now 3,266 years old.

4. Sugi

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) is a single genus in the cypress family Cupressaceae family. It only has one species, the Cryptomeria japonica which is a native in Japan. The Japanese called it Sugi while in English, it is frequently referred to as Japanese Cedar but is not in any way related to the cedars. Sugi also grows in India and is known as Dhuppi classified as soft wood and widely utilized in building homes.

A conifer tree, Sugi has a height of 70 meters of 230 feet and a 4 meters or 13 feet trunk diameter. Shredding in vertical strips is its red-brown bark. Needle-like and spirally assembled, its leaves are 0.5 - 1 cm long with 1 - 2 cm in diameter globular seed cones with approximately 20 - 40 scales. Mostly planted in temples and shrines, Sugi is Japan's national tree. The reddish-pink and scented wood is light in weight but sturdy, resistant to water and decay. Japanese uses it in all kinds of construction work including interior paneling.

Sugi is now recorded to be 3,000 years in age.

5. Huon Pine

Huon Pine is specie of conifer that grows in the southwest area of Tasmania, Australia. Its scientific name is Lagarostrobos franklinii and is also called Macquarie.

It is a long living tree in spite of its slow growth. It reaches up to 10 - 20 meters and some even grows up to 30 meters. Totally covering the shoots are the spirally arranged leaves that are scale-like and small.

At 2,500 years of age, the Huon Pine remaining species is now endangered within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage.

Yes, if you pay us we will cut down any tree! Unless it has a preservation order - which I imagine those trees do. Anyway call us if you need tree surgery services in London.

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