Long-lasting trees of Russia. Which tree lives the longest?

The life of an oak is much longer than that of a human. It can last for several centuries. This is confirmed by long-lived trees that continue to grow today, and about which there are many legends and tales.

The average lifespan of an oak tree is 300-500 years. During the first century it grows in height. Subsequently, its trunk thickens.

The lifespan is influenced by environmental factors. The more favorable they are, the longer the tree grows. Life shortening is caused by:

Man-made and natural disasters. Most often, the death of trees is caused by human activity.
Disruption of sunlight and water. It is important that there is a balance between these environmental factors. With a lack of moisture and too hot weather, internal processes in all vegetation fade away. The drying process begins. Swampiness is also harmful, leading to rotting.

Some specimens have a lifespan of up to 2 thousand years. There are also older trees. However, scientists cannot say exactly how many years these representatives of the flora live. Experts think that the specimens, whose age ranges from 2 thousand to 5 thousand years, are only distant descendants of the very first oak trees that began to grow in the places where long-lived trees are now located.

Life expectancy of oak in Russia

The oak genus includes about 600 species. In Russia, the most common is petiolate. Its feature is its resistance to environmental factors. It is not afraid of prolonged droughts or large temperature changes. Oak grows for 300-400 years. Under favorable conditions, it can live up to 2 thousand years.

Comparison with the lifespan of other trees

If you compare the life expectancy of trees and oak, presented in the table, you can understand that not only the latter is long-lived.

Trees and their lifespan

Tree name	Short description	How long does a tree live?
Baobab	Grows in tropical Africa. Height - from 18 to 25 m, trunk diameter - 8 m. It begins to bloom in autumn. Baobab fruits are similar to melons or cucumbers.	The average age is 1 thousand years. Can grow up to 4.5 thousand years.
Sequoia	Grows on the Pacific coast of North America. The height of this evergreen tree is up to 110 m.	The maximum lifespan is about 2 thousand years.
Yew	This is a genus of coniferous trees and shrubs. Found mainly in Southern, Western and Central Europe. Height - from 1 to 10 m, trunk diameter - about 4 m.	The average age is about 3 thousand years.
Eucalyptus	This is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs. It grows in many parts of the world (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Southern France, etc.). The height can reach 100 m.	Can grow for 400-500 years.
Pseudotsuga	These are coniferous evergreen trees that can grow up to 140 m in height. Found in the mountainous regions of Japan, China, and North America.	The average age is 700 years.

The oldest representatives of Russia and the world

Among the total number of oak trees existing today, there are those that can amaze with their longevity and interest in the legends written about them.

Mamvrian

In the Palestinian Authority, the Mamre Oak grew in Hebron. Scientists suggest that he managed to live more than 5 thousand years. According to biblical information, Abraham received God from this creation of nature. Around the middle of the 19th century. this tree was found by Archimandrite Antonin, a clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church. He looked for those places that are described in the Bible. In 1868, the clergyman bought a plot of land with an oak tree.

Later, Russian pilgrims began to come here, and in the 20th century. The Holy Trinity Monastery was built on this site.

The Mamvrian creation of nature has always been looked after. People have formed a prophecy that with the death of the tree the end of the world will come. In 2019, the prediction was partially fulfilled: the dried-out trunk collapsed, but the apocalypse did not begin. In the area where the famous tree grew, young shoots remained. They will be the successors of the Mamre oak.

Stelmuzhsky

In Europe, one of the oldest trees is the Stelmuz oak. It is located in Lithuania. Today its height is 23 m, and its girth is 13.5 m. It is impossible to say exactly how many years the oak tree lives, because its core has rotted. Scientists put forward different versions. Some say that the oak tree grows for about 1 thousand years, while others believe that its duration of existence is more than 2 thousand years. According to the legend of the Stelmuzh Oak, several hundred years ago local residents created a pagan altar under the crown. In this place they made sacrifices to Perkunas, the thunder god and defender of justice.

Granitsky

In Bulgaria, in the village of Granit, the Granite oak has been growing for 17 centuries. During its existence, it reached 23.4 m in height. Local residents revere the tree because it bears witness to many historical events. People collect acorns to raise descendants of the Granite Oak.

The majestic tree of Bulgaria is gradually dying. It is supported by a special steel structure. According to experts, already 70% of the trunk is dead matter.

"Oak Chapel"

This oak has been living in France in the village of Allouville-Bellefosse for more than 1.2 thousand years. Its height is 18 m and its circumference is 16 m. About 40 thousand tourists come to this place every year. They are attracted by one feature: the chapels of the hermit and Our Lady of Peace were built in the hollow. They were created in the 17th century. The ascent to them is provided by a spiral staircase. Also, pilgrims gather annually at the chapel, created by nature and human hands, on the Catholic holiday of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.

"The Hero of Taurida"

“Bogatyr of Taurida” grows in Simferopol in the Republic of Crimea and is a botanical natural monument. According to experts, life expectancy ranges from 500 to 700 years. This means that the tree has existed since the construction of the Kebir-Jami mosque in Simferopol.

There is one legend associated with the “Bogatyr of Taurida”. According to it, under the crown A.S. Pushkin wrote the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, which contains lines about Lukomorye and green oak.

Pansky

In the Russian Federation, one of the oldest trees grows in the Belgorod region in the village of Yablochkovo. The oak is called Pansky. Its height is 35 m, and its girth is 5.5 m. It is over 550 years old. There are several legends about the Pan Oak. One of them says that in the 17th century. oak forests were cut down. Wood was required for the construction of fortified cities and the Belgorod abatis line. Only the Pansky Oak was not touched by anyone, because even at that time it amazed with its beauty and grandeur. Another legend says that Peter I rested under the shadow of the trunk and crown. This event occurred in 1709, when the tsar was returning from the Battle of Poltava.

In ancient times, many peoples considered living oaks to be a symbol of longevity, power and strength. People worshiped them and called oak forests sacred places. Some people came to the oak tree to ask for help. For example, Caucasian mountaineers believed that a mighty tree could protect their fields and gardens from insect pests.

In the past, many observations and signs were associated with oak. For example:

in the fall, people said that a lot of acorns meant a strict winter and a fertile summer;
Tula peasants observed nature in the spring and said that, as an oak tree turns into a hare's ear, it is necessary to sow oats;
For Penza fishermen, the appearance of an oak leaf was a sign, because at this time the pike began to bite.

In wood, the most valuable element is wood. Under Peter I, protective decrees were issued. The barrel was required for the production of the Russian fleet. People who dared to cut down a valuable tree for their own purposes were punished. They were subject to the death penalty.

In the past, the oak tree could provide shelter. There is a legend according to which the Orthodox monk Tikhon lived in the hollow of one large tree. He hid there from bad weather, rested at night until a monastery was built - Tikhon's Assumption Hermitage.

Conclusion

Today, people go on trips to see single long-lived specimens to admire their beauty, power and grandeur, and young trees are used for a variety of purposes. They are planted for urban greening, infusions and decoctions are made from the bark, which help with various inflammatory processes, and “coffee” powder is prepared from the acorns.

Admiration, delight, awe, deepest respect - such emotions can be felt when being next to a long-lived person. They are the oldest living organisms on Earth; the age of individual representatives has crossed the thousand-year mark. Trees are long-lived, names and ages, pictures, facts - more on this later in the article.

About trees

A tree is a plant that has a woody trunk that lasts throughout its life. Scientists suggest that they evolved from seaweeds that came to the coastal zone.

They took root to gain a foothold on the surface. The environment was aggressive, and living organisms sought to protect themselves by forming a durable surface layer. Wood became such a layer, and it also maintained their constant shape.

Later, trees became the impetus for the development of many other forms of life. They changed the Earth's atmosphere, the composition of the soil, and influenced the climate. The modern world has become what it is today, largely thanks to these plants.

Currently, their number on Earth exceeds 3 trillion specimens, they are divided into 60 thousand species. They grow on any soil, even on rocky slopes, in the desert, on permafrost, but they are not found in Antarctica.

Mangroves grow in the tidal zone, in salt water, and are submerged approximately 40% of the time.

In the desert of Bahrain there is a mesquite, around which there are no other large plants for many miles, only thanks to its strong root system it is able to live in such harsh conditions.

Every year 50 thousand tourists visit this place. Local residents call it the Tree of Life and say that this very place used to be the Garden of Eden.

In New Zealand, at the southernmost point on Slope Point, the strongest cold Antarctic winds blow all the time. A small group of coniferous trees grows in these places; due to constant winds, they are always inclined to the north. They adapted to grow not upward, but sideways, so that at least part of the branches were protected from the drying, piercing wind.

The diversity of these flora representatives is amazing: the smallest is the dwarf willow - about 6 cm, and the tallest is the sequoia. Today, the tallest sequoia grows in the state of California, its height is 115.61 meters.

The fastest growing one is paulownia; it can grow 4 meters in a year! But White Cedar has grown only 10 cm in 155 years. Dione edible also grows very slowly - only 0.76 mm per year.

Lifespan

Lifespan depends on many factors, but maximum lifespan varies by species. The most short-lived ones are fruit ones, they live on average 50-70 years, gray ones live on average 40-70 years, rarely live to the age of 100 years. Most birch trees live 100-110 years, but some specimens can live up to 300 years. Long-livers are conifers, oaks, cypress and many more representatives.

Trees have the hardest time in the subarctic zone - cold summers, harsh winters, swamps, permafrost. They grow short and do not have longevity. In the temperate zone there is already a greater diversity of vegetation due to the warmer climate.

Some representatives of the temperate zone that are distinguished by longevity:

Oak, maple, beech - the average lifespan of these plants is 300-500 years
Spruce – 300-350 years
– up to 600 years
Larch – 500-900 years

Some representatives of the oak genus do not shed their leaves seasonally, but change them gradually, while remaining evergreen. Some species are distinguished by longevity; some individuals are considered a tourist attraction and are protected.

In warmer climate zones there are also long-lived plants, for example. These evergreens can live for more than a thousand years, the most famous of them is the Zoroastrian Sarv, which has lived for more than 4,000 years.

Long-lived oak tree - name and age

An oak is a mighty giant, tightly connected to the earth; next to this living creature one can feel its strength and energy. Many legends are associated with them; they are deeply revered where they grow.

Here are a few of the most famous.

Mamre, also known as the Oak of Abraham, is considered sacred; the Bible says that it was near this oak tree that Abraham had a revelation of the Holy Trinity. According to legend, as long as this oak tree is alive, the end of the world will not come. Its age is estimated at 5,000 years, but in 1997 it dried up, and tourists helped it with this, taking away its pieces as talismans. Fortunately, a year later a new shoot appeared from the roots.

According to scientists, the colony of Palmer scrub oaks in the Jurupa Valley (USA, California) began its existence 13 thousand years ago. Some researchers claim that a colony of these oak trees survived the last ice age.

The Stelmuzh oak is one of the oldest European oaks; its age, according to various sources, ranges from one thousand to two thousand years. In 1916, he underwent a recovery operation: they cleaned out the rot from inside, trimmed the hollow, and surrounded it with a fence.

Oak chapel in France. Two chapels were built inside the oak tree in 1669, which are still open to the public today. The age of this oak is estimated at 1200 years.
For clarity, you can see photos of long-lived trees, the names and ages of which were listed.

The oldest trees on Earth

These plants are the longest living creatures on our planet. Some of those living today rushed towards the sun back in the days when there were no Egyptian pyramids. The oldest tree alive today is the spinous tree, whose name is Mufasael. It grows in eastern California in a national park, but its specific location is hidden from outsiders, only park employees know where it grows.

According to scientists, the approximate time when the seed of this pine began its truly long life journey is considered to be 2831 BC (in 2017 the pine turned 4847 years old!). There are many pine trees in the park that are over a thousand years old; it is surprising that the conditions there are not the most pleasant: very little rainfall, poor soil, dry air.

These long-livers have adapted to difficulties; the needles of these amazing creatures alone have not changed for 20-30 years. This significantly saves inventory and energy. Constant photosynthesis ensures normal existence in such a harsh climate.

When individual areas are damaged, they die, but the disease does not spread further; the untouched part continues to live its life. Pine wood is very dense, with a large amount of resin, because of this, pathogenic microbes, fungi and insects cannot get close to it.

Additionally, dry air protects pine trees from rotting. Old-timers prefer open spaces where everyone has enough sun and moisture. This arrangement also prevents the spread of forest fires. Even after death, it can survive for about a hundred years until the roots begin to rot or the soil collapses.

In the same California, in Sequoia National Park, the General Sherman sequoia grows. Her age is 2700 years, in addition to such a respectable age, she is distinguished by other parameters: height 84 meters, girth at the ground - 31 meters, and she is still growing, increasing her girth by 1.5 cm every year. Next to such a giant, you understand who really is the owner of planet Earth.

The General Sherman is open to tourists and has a sign near it stating that this redwood tree can be used to build 40 houses and that it is much longer than a passenger train.

Baobab trees grow in Africa; they do not have growth rings, so it is difficult to determine their age. Using radiocarbon dating, scientists claim that individual representatives have lived for more than 4,500 years.

The legend associated with these plants says that the baobab did not like the place that God had chosen for it, and he got angry and planted it upside down, after which the baobab began to grow and no longer asked for a new place.

Dragon trees also do not form growth rings; age is determined approximately by growth rates. Typically these plants are 20 meters tall, with a base diameter of 4 meters and can live for 5-7 thousand years.

Oldest clonal groves

A clonal colony is a group of genetically identical organisms that have evolved from a common ancestor, or we can say that it is one organism that has split into many parts during the process of growth. Clonal trees are long-lived - names and ages.

One such organism is Pando Grove, in Utah, USA. The aspen grows and dies in this grove, this cycle takes about 130 years, a new shoot appears in its place, and this process has not stopped for at least 80 thousand years.

At the time of the birth of Pando, states did not yet exist; people had just begun to settle across the continents. Entire civilizations were born and died, religions were born, then they faded away, man made a huge number of inventions and discoveries, comprehended the world around him, studied and is studying the universe, and Pando continuously lives and develops with all three of these.

In Sweden, Tikko grows from roots that, according to radiocarbon dating, are more than 9,500 years old; it is a clone of an old dead plant. The young growth is several hundred years old, but its roots date back to times that are even difficult to imagine.

Fruit long-lived

Among the longest-living fruits, olives and chestnuts are considered the oldest. One of the famous representatives of chestnut trees is hundreds of horses. It is a landmark of Sicily, scientists consider it the oldest, in addition, it is included in the Guinness Book of Records, due to the largest girth of the trunk, in 1780 this figure was 58 meters, now the trunk is divided into three parts.

One of the oldest olives in Spain is known as Farga de Arion, it is approximately 1701, and older specimens are also known: Olive Vouves. This specimen grows on the island of Crete, the exact age is difficult to establish because the core has rotted, but this figure is at least 2000 years old.

Although most of the centenarians are protected, the number of forests is decreasing every year due to human activity. Forests have suffered especially greatly from humans over the last 200 years. In developed countries, deforestation is strictly controlled or banned altogether.

A forest is a unique ecosystem; if there is no forest, there will be no life. Love and take care of nature, it gave us life.

Which are the oldest on Earth, where do they grow, how long do trees usually live, how some manage to live for more than a thousand years, about everything in more detail - in the video:

Among the trees that so organically decorate and support human life on Earth, there are deciduous and coniferous species.

Both are beautiful in their own way and beneficial for the environment and humans. Some of them are used in various industries (medicine, cosmetology, industry and others), others cleanse the atmosphere of pollution.

Among the trees on the planet, there are those that are considered long-lived (they have a lifespan of several hundred to several thousand years and are under the protection of the state in whose territory they grow).

What breeds are these? What types of trees are there? Names, brief descriptions and photos are presented in our article.

Description

Probably every person remembers from botany lessons in high school that they distinguish:

Deciduous trees or summer green (deciduous). These are the ones that have leaves; they shed them before the cold season begins. They spread through seeds and grow in many countries of the world, including the Russian Federation.

Coniferous trees. These are evergreen plants that have a needle-like appearance. Thanks to these trees, the air is purified, saturated with healing essential oils. Most often, at home, they are planted in garden plots to decorate the vegetation with evergreen crops. There are also entire forests and pine forests where conifers grow.

What types of trees are there?

Representatives of deciduous trees:

Oak trees;
birch;
linden;
apple trees;

poplars;
pears;
cherries and so on.

The leaves of deciduous trees come in different shapes and sizes. For example, in birch they have jagged edges and are shaped like a rounded rhombus or triangle. Oak has oblong-shaped leaves resembling an ellipse.

Representatives of coniferous trees:

fir;
pine;
cedar;

cypress;
larch;
thuja and others.

The leaves of coniferous trees are characterized mainly by a needle-like shape.

Application

Both deciduous and coniferous wood are used in industry (because they are easy to process and have fairly good strength characteristics), medical purposes, cosmetology, landscape design, and so on.

And deciduous fruit trees give people their fruits, from which you can prepare delicious preparations, compotes, baking fillings and much more. Also in the winter season, thanks to firewood from the trunks and branches of these trees, you can warm up from the cold.

About long-lived trees in Russia

Next, we will consider some types of long-lived trees that grow on the territory of the Russian Federation. There is a special state register that records information about the oldest representatives. In total, there are about 20 units in Russia as of 2018.

Each such tree is first studied (by botanists, ecologists, forest scientists), its external condition is examined, its species and age are determined (the more “rings”, the older it is).

For long-lived trees, measures are taken to ensure safety, special care and protection. The sign located near such a representative must contain information about the name, status and age.

So, let's move on to information about long-lived trees in Russia (names, age, brief description) and some information about foreign representatives.

Birch

The symbol of Russia, the most famous deciduous tree, which can be found in the northern and central parts of the country, as well as in the Caucasus. A beautiful, slender and delicate tree. Many poems and songs have been written about him. And who in Russia and abroad does not know delicious birch sap?

In total there are about 100 species of birch trees. The name comes from the Slavic “whiten” or “shine”, as well as from “birch bark”.

The maximum height that a birch tree can reach during its life is 40 meters. Lives up to 150 years. Although in the southern part of Russia (Primorye) there are long-lived trees that are four hundred years old. These are birch trees of the “iron” or “Schmidt” variety.

Oak

Representative of deciduous forests. Grows in northern and southern latitudes. It has a beautiful wide crown and a majestic trunk.

There are about 600 species of oaks. The maximum height this plant reaches is 45 meters. Age - 1500 years or more. In Russia, the most common is the petiolate type. Among the country's longest-living trees are oaks (area, age):

on the Don - 400 years;
in Chuvashia - 480 years;
in Yakutia - 885 years;
in the Kaliningrad region - 800 years;
in Moscow (Kolomensky Park) - more than 1000 years.

linden tree

Also, the most prominent representative among the long-lived trees of the Russian Federation is the linden. There are about 40 species and 350 hybrids. The lifespan of these trees reaches an average of 400 to 1000 years.

In addition to the fact that lindens are quite beautiful deciduous trees, their inflorescences also have an incomparable aroma, and are also used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes (tea, infusions, honey). And the wood itself is used to make musical instruments, furniture, and shoe lasts.

Larch

This is a representative of long-lived conifers. The oldest larches (photo of the tree below) grow in Yakutia.

And although they are short in height (9 meters), and the diameter is only 25 centimeters, larches are 850-920 years old.

These record holders are recorded as the longest living people in Russia. And the forest area itself where such trees grow (they are located within a small area) has the status of a nature reserve. It is located on the territory of Yakutia.

Willow

The most wonderful and gentle representative of long-lived deciduous trees growing on the territory of the Russian Federation. Willow, like birch, is sung in Russian folk songs, and it is also a very symbolic tree (photo below).

One of the oldest is considered to be the one located in the Moscow Botanical Garden of the Moscow State University “Apothecary Garden”. This tree is already 300 years old.

Long-lived foreigners

Among the long-lived trees (names and ages are indicated in the article), growing in other countries and whose age today is hundreds of years, there are the following representatives:

Pine trees discovered by scientists in Sweden. They have been growing on Mount Fulu for several thousand years. In particular, one of them reached the age of 10 thousand years.
Intermountain bristlecone pine, called "Methuselah", which grows in California's Inyo National Forest (USA). Her age is 4850 years. The exact location is not indicated to ensure the safety of the tree (photo of the tree below).
Cypress trees, whose age reaches 3500 years. They grow in the USA in Big Tree Park.
A colony of poplars believed to be 80 thousand years old. Located in Utah (USA).

Conclusion

Trees are very valuable representatives of the plant world. The task of every person in any country in the world, regardless of whether centenarians grow there or not, is to protect, care for and protect them as one of the most important gifts of nature.

We talked about what types of trees there are. Photos and their names were presented in the article.

An attentive gardener has probably noticed that some trees in the garden live for several decades, while others stop bearing fruit already at 10 years of age. A similar situation is observed in the wild. Scientists know tree species that can grow and develop for thousands of years, while other species cannot boast such a long life cycle.

In today's article we will pay attention to such an interesting issue as the life expectancy of certain types of trees. You will learn what factors influence it, how long one tree can last on average, and what indicators are considered average for certain species.

Average lifespan of a tree

There is no average indicator for absolutely all trees, since it depends on the growing conditions of a particular specimen and its type. But the lifespan can be given approximately, focusing on the botanical classification (Figure 1).

So, the duration of the life cycle for representatives of certain groups will be as follows:

Fruit: Among this group, wild apple and pear trees, which are found in forests, are considered to be the longest-livers. Their wood does not rot, and the tree itself continues to bear fruit for 100-150 years. This figure is true for central Russia, and in regions with a mild climate the lifespan may be even longer. Peaches and apricots grown in our latitudes live no more than 20 years, but in Turkey and the Caucasus their lifespan can reach 100-300 years, respectively.
Conifers: live much longer than representatives of deciduous species. For example, larches whose age is estimated at 500-600 years have been discovered in Siberia, and in China there is a tree whose age is estimated at 1300 years. The common pine lives the shortest (about 100 years), although this period can be considered very impressive.
Wild deciduous trees: among the representatives of this group there are also real centenarians. For example, in Europe, summer oak is found everywhere, which can successfully exist for up to one and a half thousand years, although ordinary oaks quite successfully live up to 500-600 years. Sequoia and baobab are also real record holders. For them, the average is 5 thousand years. In our forests, such long-livers are rare, although ordinary birch, ash or hornbeam can live up to 300 years under certain conditions.

Figure 1. Duration of existence depends on the specific type of tree

Given such impressive indicators, it becomes interesting how scientists determine the age of a particular tree, and what the duration of the life cycle of a particular specimen may depend on.

Determining the age of a tree by annual rings and indirect signs

There are several ways by which you can determine the average, and sometimes even the exact duration of the existence of a particular instance.

Note: Determining age by tree rings is considered the most accurate method. The fact is that trees grow at different rates, which depend on solar activity in summer and winter.

First, let's focus on a method that involves studying tree rings. The increase in trunk width depends on the growth of the cambium. This is a special tissue that grows both inside and outside the trunk (Figure 2).

The cambium develops unevenly, depending on the time of year:

In spring, wide cells with narrow walls are formed, since it is through them that the above-ground part of the tree receives a sufficient amount of nutrients. Such fabrics have a light color when cut.
In autumn, a cambium with thick walls is formed, which makes the wood more dense. Accordingly, such a layer of fabric will have a more saturated dark color.

By counting the number of light and dark stripes, you can determine the number of seasons the tree has lived through. By the way, in the process of studying you can find a dark stripe that is wider than the others. This indicates that the tree has survived a very cold autumn or long winter. Accordingly, such data make it possible not only to determine the age of a particular specimen, but also to find out in what climatic conditions it grew.

Determining age by indirect evidence is not such an accurate method, but it does not involve mechanical damage to the tree. The fact is that to count the rings, the selected specimen must either be completely cut down or seriously damaged. This is not always possible, so scientists quite often use indirect methods. They can also be used at home.

Figure 2. Counting tree rings is the most effective method for determining age.

For example, you can measure the circumference of a trunk one and a half meters from ground level. Then the resulting indicator is multiplied by Pi (3.14) and the trunk diameter is obtained. This figure must be divided by the average annual growth for a given tree species in a particular region. The result obtained will not be completely accurate. In most cases, the error reaches 30%.

Factors affecting the lifespan of a tree

The main factor influencing the lifespan of a particular tree is the botanical species to which it belongs. For example, fruit trees live the shortest - on the order of several decades. Coniferous and deciduous wild species are real long-livers, because they grow quite successfully for hundreds and even thousands of years (Figure 3).

Since the lifespan of different species varies, it makes sense to consider the factors that determine the lifespan of certain tree species.

First, let's look at conifers and find out what factors can affect the duration of their existence:

The soil: Coniferous crops adapt much better to growing on poor soils and tolerate harsh climates more easily than deciduous trees.
Character of the area: The strength and direction of the wind depends on this. Accordingly, a pine tree growing on a plain will live much longer than a similar tree in the mountains.
Diseases and pests: can weaken any culture and significantly shorten its lifespan.

In general, conifers live longer than deciduous trees for several reasons. Firstly, they have a very branched root system that can absorb moisture even from the deepest layers of soil. Secondly, they have a special crown shape, thanks to which the tree receives a sufficient amount of sunlight even in a very dense forest. Thirdly, the needles themselves play an important role. Its surface area is small, and each needle is covered with a special waxy coating. Falling to the ground in a dense layer, it helps retain moisture in the soil.

Deciduous trees live less than conifers for the following reasons:

Soil nutritional value: representatives of this group are very sensitive to the level of soil fertility and nutrient content in it. Accordingly, a tree will live much shorter on poor soils than on nutritious soil.
Climate: Humidity level, average annual temperature, wind strength and direction also play an important role.
Forest density: The more trees are concentrated in one place, the shorter their life expectancy will be. In such cramped conditions, only the strongest specimens can survive.
Location: we are talking about whether the tree grows in the forest or in the city. Naturally, in a city with high air pollution, the life expectancy of the crop will be much shorter.

Figure 3. Life expectancy directly depends on the place of growth: in the mountains, in the forest or in the city

Fruit trees live the least in gardens. But, if the gardener prunes on time, feeds the crops and treats them for diseases and pests, then the lifespan will be several decades.

The question arises: why do forest deciduous trees live so much longer than garden trees? It's very simple: artificially accelerating the growth of fruit crops and stimulating high yields forces the tree to spend all its energy and nutrients on ripening the fruits. Naturally, in such conditions, a culture simply cannot accumulate enough strength for long-term existence.

Life expectancy by tree type

As mentioned in the previous section, the lifespan of a particular tree depends on its type. The growing environment also has a certain impact.

For example, among common garden trees, peaches and apricots live the shortest: they can grow and bear fruit for no more than 10 years, while an apple or pear tree, with proper care, remains viable for up to 50 years.

Forest deciduous and coniferous trees, due to moderate fruiting or its complete absence, live much longer. For example, an ordinary rowan can live up to a hundred years, and a birch - up to three hundred. But the real long-livers of our forests are considered to be coniferous crops, in particular pine trees. Depending on the species, they live from 300 to 1000 years (European pine).

Despite the fact that coniferous crops live longer than deciduous ones, real long-livers are found in all botanical types. Naturally, the usual apple tree, linden tree or maple tree cannot be included here, but amazing ancient giant trees are found all over the world (Figure 4).

Here are some of them:

Pine Methuselah: This long-lived plant world is located in California, USA. Scientists have determined that the pine tree is over 4,500 years old, but it is impossible to see it with your own eyes. The tree grows in a nature reserve, whose employees carefully conceal the secret of its location.
Sequoia General Sherman: also grows in the USA, in Sequoia National Park in California. Its age is estimated at approximately 2500-2800 years. There are always a lot of tourists here, but it is noteworthy that the sequoia continues to grow: every year its trunk increases in girth by 1.5 cm.
El Tikko: grows in Sweden. Scientists, using the method of radiocarbon analysis of the roots, have established that its age reaches 9.5 thousand years.

Figure 4. The oldest trees in the world: 1 - Methuselah pine, 2 - General Sherman sequoia, 3 - Tikko spruce

In general, amazing long-lived trees are found all over the world: cedars in Lebanon, cypress in Iran and even chestnut on the slope of Mount Etna in Sicily. The very fact that these plants managed to survive so many years and remain viable to this day is amazing.

When is it necessary to uproot old trees?

Trees are the lungs of our planet, which is why it is so important to preserve green spaces as much as possible. Unfortunately, sooner or later any tree ages and dries out irrevocably, and it has to be uprooted.

Of course, owners of private houses try to keep trees alive for as long as possible by carrying out anti-aging pruning and proper care. But, if these procedures do not help, it is better to cut down the old trunk and plant a new young tree instead.

Foresters do much the same thing: they cut down only completely dry trees, and annually replenish the green spaces with new specimens. This is the only way to preserve a green forest and get rid of possible problems in the form of diseases that old trees can cause.

Tree life expectancy chart

The easiest way to estimate the lifespan of wild and fruit trees is to use a table. It lists the main types of wood that are most often found in gardens and forests of our country.

Name	Life expectancy (years)




Walnut


Blue spruce



Juniper
Sea buckthorn
Gray alder


Mountain ash



Thuja occidentalis

In the video you can see what the oldest trees in the world look like.

Cypress is a tree, all varieties and forms of which grow very slowly. It usually reaches medium size only by 80-100 years and after that it begins to grow. The height of the cypress reaches 40 m, and the width of its trunk grows to 16 m in diameter. The crown of the tree is pyramidal or spreading, it is rare, but it is also common that all the branches of the tree are in the same plane. The branches of the cypress are branched many times, the needles are evergreen, scale-like, cross-paired, tightly pressed to the branches. Cypress seeds are in cones, round and with many shield-shaped scales, under each of which there is a flat seed. An interesting fact is that the seeds reach maturity only in the second year of life.

The Benthamii variety is especially popular, with an elegant thin crown and blue-green needles. Slightly less common is the large-cone cypress, Lindleyi, with green needles. The columnar form of Tristis with branches hanging down makes it doubtful whether this plant belongs to the cypress tree.

Cypress living conditions

Cypress varieties require different maintenance methods and different living conditions. Long-lived, Mexican cypress is very capricious. It does not tolerate drought and needs a very large amount of moisture, not just in the soil, but in the air. This tree is not a frost-resistant variety; it needs a warm climate. The soil suitable for Mexican cypress is very diverse, the main condition is air permeability and good drainage; taking these features into account, cypress can live in both calcareous soil and red soil.

Most often, Mexican cypress is used along with Arizona and evergreen for hedges, since despite its capriciousness, it tolerates haircuts well and lends itself to any shaping. In the conditions of the middle zone, the Mexican cypress can only live at home, since even with shelter it will not be able to withstand severe frosts. At home or in the winter garden, this plant will require frequent replanting and high air humidity, and in return it will greatly refresh the atmosphere of the room in which it is located.

In order for a cypress to appear at home, it is not necessary to buy an adult plant from a nursery. All cypresses are quite easily propagated by seeds, and the advantage of such a plant over an adult is obvious - it does not have to waste time and effort on acclimatization, as a result of which many of these capricious plants die in new conditions.

Due to excessive dryness of the air, the cypress turns yellow and loses its needles irrevocably. This especially applies to those cypress trees that live indoors. Insufficient watering is also detrimental to them.