Canary Island Cedar in Teide Park Confirmed as Oldest Tree in the European Union

Recent scientific investigations, finalized in 2025, have definitively established that a Canary Island Cedar located within Teide National Park on Tenerife Island has reached an astonishing age of 1,544 years. This remarkable longevity positions it as the longest-living tree currently recognized within the entire European Union. This finding officially dethrones the previous record holder, historically known as the 'Patriarch,' whose age was previously calculated at 1,481 years based on radiocarbon dating analysis.

This extraordinary discovery underscores the profound ecological significance of the Canary Island Cedar population flourishing within the park boundaries. These venerable trees represent living relics of ancient forests that once spanned vast portions of the archipelago. Teide National Park itself, officially established on January 22, 1954, covers an area of 189.9 square kilometers. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 further elevates the importance of this exceptional botanical confirmation.

The precise age determination was achieved through a conservation initiative that commenced in 2019 and was significantly expanded in 2025. This collaborative effort involved key partners, including the Endesa Foundation, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the University of Valladolid (UVa). Researchers operating from the Soria campus of UVa utilized specialized mountaineering gear to carefully extract core samples from these ancient cedars, many of which cling to precarious, rocky ledges.

The subsequent radiocarbon analysis performed on 25 selected specimens yielded a striking result: eight of these trees have now been confirmed to be centenarians, with ages exceeding one millennium. Even more impressively, three of these individuals have surpassed the 1,500-year milestone, setting a new benchmark for arboreal longevity in the region.

The former record-holder, the 'Patriarch,' had been aged at 1,481 years by earlier assessments conducted by scientists from the University of Valladolid and King Juan Carlos University. Records indicate that the 'Patriarch' has weathered numerous natural upheavals, including surviving five volcanic eruptions and the severe San Florencio storm back in 1826. The sheer resilience of these endemic cedars, perfectly adapted to the harsh, high-altitude environment, is likely attributable to their inaccessible locations, which have provided crucial sanctuary from human impact over the centuries.

The unique setting of these trees within Teide National Park—which encompasses Spain’s highest peaks, Mount Teide (3,718 meters) and Pico Viejo (3,135 meters)—serves as a powerful testament to their enduring hardiness. In the broader context of European dendrochronology and longevity studies, the 2025 findings establish a new gold standard, surpassing all prior established figures. The vitality of European research into forest genetics and tree lifespan was further underscored by the final EvolTree & FORGENIUS conference, which convened in Madrid in November of 2025.