About the same time humans invented writing 5,400 years ago, a cypress tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) grew in coastal canyons in what is now Chile. It avoided fire and felling and grew into a giant with a diameter of more than four meters. Known today as Alerce Milenario or Gran Abuelo, it is probably the oldest living organism to date . Chilean environmental scientist Jonathan Barichivich has combined computer models and traditional tree age calculations to estimate that Alerce Milenario’s age may be over 5,000 years old. That means it is at least a century older than the current record holder. Many dendrologists are skeptical of Barichivich’s conclusions. The study has not yet been published. But some experts are open to this.
This article is reprinted from: https://www.solidot.org/story?sid=71595
This site is for inclusion only, and the copyright belongs to the original author.