10 Oldest Trees in the World

6. Gran Abuelo
Age: 3,646 years
Species: Patagonian Cypress (Fitzroya cupressoides)
Location: Alerce Costero National Park, Chile
Still Alive: Yes

Gran Abuelo photo source: New Atlas

The Gran Abuelo (Spanish for “great grandfather”), which is located in the Alerce Costero National Park in Chile, is the oldest living tree in South America. The tree stands at more than 60 m tall (196 ft) with a diameter of 4 m (13 ft) and a perimeter of 11 m (36 ft).

Gran Abuelo’s age was determined in 1993 after researchers used a growth ring to verify its antiquity — they estimated that the tree was around 3,622 years old at the time.

Its age means that the Gran Abuelo germinated around 1,500 BCE. There is a possibility that the Gran Abuelo wasn’t even the oldest tree in the grove as many of the larger ones were logged in the past.

Did You Know?

Patagonian Cypresses are known as Alerce in Spanish and contain special resins that help the trees decompose slowly, even when buried or in water. This is why the Patagonian Cypress is endangered and why many of the Gran Abuelo’s fellow Alerces have been cut down and turned into building material.