Chile's Alerce Milenario Challenges Methuselah for Title of World's Oldest Tree

A fierce contest for the title of the planet's oldest non-clonal tree is heating up, centered on the Chilean Alerce Milenario, affectionately known as 'Gran Abuelo.' This ancient Patagonian cypress, found within Alerce Costero National Park, has been estimated by scientist Jonathan Barichivich to be 5,484 years old. Barichivich, affiliated with the Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory in Paris, arrived at this figure by combining statistical modeling with traditional dating methods. This new calculation potentially places Gran Abuelo centuries older than Methuselah in the United States, which has long held the confirmed record.

This venerable tree, towering 28 meters high, serves as an invaluable archive of past climates. However, establishing its precise age remains challenging because the decay of its heartwood prevents a complete ring count. Back in 2020, just before the pandemic struck globally, Barichivich collaborated with Antonio Lara from the University of Chile to extract a core sample. This sample revealed approximately 2,400 rings, but the coring instrument could not reach the tree’s absolute center. This potential breakthrough prompted an immediate response from Chilean authorities; the National Forest Corporation (CONAF) swiftly enhanced security measures around the tree due to escalating international attention.

According to Barichivich's assessment, only about 28% of the Alerce Milenario remains alive, with the majority of that living tissue residing in the root system. This vulnerability makes the tree susceptible to damage from visitors who might stray from the designated observation platform and harm the roots. In partnership with the Reforestemos Foundation and supported by the FAO, CONAF is actively engaged in restoring the park's ecosystem. Specifically, the Alerce forests in the Cordillera de la Costa sector alone encompass over 3,429 hectares of burned land requiring significant restoration efforts.

Chile has long recognized the significance of this species; the Alerce was officially designated a 'Natural Monument' in 1976. Furthermore, its conservation status was elevated in 2008 to 'Endangered' (EN A2c), reflecting growing concerns over its survival. This history underscores the importance of protecting this living relic against environmental pressures and human impact.

Meanwhile, Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine (*Pinus longaeva*) located in California's Inyo National Forest, has historically maintained the confirmed age record, exceeding 4,850 years based on dendrochronological evidence. Methuselah, named by Edmund Schulman in the 1950s, has long symbolized extreme longevity. A key difference between the two giants is public access: while Methuselah's exact location is kept secret to prevent vandalism or harm, Gran Abuelo is a primary, well-known attraction within its national park.

Both of these millennia-old organisms are irreplaceable natural libraries. They hold crucial data regarding past ecological shifts, including records of ancient wildfires and significant climatic fluctuations. By studying these trees, researchers gain essential insights that help refine contemporary and future climate modeling efforts, making the preservation of both trees a global scientific priority.