Swedish researchers discover world's oldest living tree

Stockholm - The world's oldest living tree, a spruce that is 9,550 years old, has been discovered in Sweden, researchers at Umea University said Wednesday. The ancient spruce was discovered on a mountain range in the province of Dalarna, north-west of Stockholm and has reversed previous assumptions that the spruce tree arrived relatively recently to Sweden. 'Our results have shown the complete opposite, that the spruce is one of the oldest known trees in the mountain range,' said Leif Kullman, Professor of Physical Geography at Umea University, 660 kilometres north of Stockholm. Researchers found four 'generations' of spruces in Dalarna. Using Carbon-14 dating at a laboratory in Miami in the US, they were able to establish that the four trees were aged 375, 5,660, 9,000 and 9,550 years, respectively. Spruces can multiply with root penetrating branches, so they can produce exact copies or clones, the researchers said, noting that the oldest tree had the same genetic material as wood found at the site. North American pine trees have previously been believed to hold the age record of 4,000 to 5,000 years. Kullman said research on spruces may also provide knowledge about climate change.

And Also

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
GASP: Goldstriker creates world's most expensive iPhone - The Tech Herald
The Jay Leno Show Finds Its Ratings Level - Cinema Blend
Guide to Avoiding Red Carpet Faux Pas - PopEater
A&E series 'Hoarders' and 'Intervention' premiere Monday, Nov. 30th, preview

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Science

Older Talkback

page: 1

abeApr 16th, 2008 - 19:51:24

this constitutes the 2.038.745th case evidence against the nutcase creationio.
If the world was created about 6000 years ago,and if there was such a thing as Noah's flood,this tree is not supposed to exist.Only one amongst
an undending procession against the evangelist textbook.Isn't it about time we dispel with that kind of wouldbe science in classrooms ?

Report this comment

I like you AbeApr 16th, 2008 - 21:35:21

Organized religion is nothing but a bunch of lost nutbags worshipping fairytales. They need to get counseling for their lemming-like need to follow others, and learn to love themselves for who they are. This single tree proves them wrong. And to those of you who think anything religious should be taught in our schools: Move to the middle east with the rest of the hatemongering zealots.

Report this comment

page: 1

Science

Science News

Swedish researchers discover world's oldest living tree

And Also

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Science

Older Talkback

From Sites we Like

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print