STOCKHOLM (AFP) - The world's oldest living tree on record is a nearly 10,000 year-old spruce that has been discovered in central Sweden, Umeaa University said on Thursday. Researchers had discovered a spruce with genetic material dating back 9,550 years in the Fulu mountain in Dalarna, according to Leif Kullmann, a professor of Physical Geography at the university in northwestern Sweden. That would mean it had taken root in roughly the year 7,542 BC. Scientists had previously believed the world's oldest trees were 4,000 to 5,000 year-old pine trees found in North America. The new record-breaking tree was discovered in Dalarna in 2004 when Swedish researchers were carrying out a census of tree species in the region, Kullman said. The tree's genetic material age had been calculated using carbon dating at a laboratory in Miami, Florida. Spruces, which according to Kullmann offer rich insight into climate change, had long been regarded as relatively newcomers in the Swedish mountain region. The discovery of the ancient tree had therefore led to "a big change in our way of thinking," he said. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/swedennatureoffbeat
Are we sure this is accurate? For all we know, they just asked the tree how old it was, and it wanted to appear to be more mature... or maybe it wanted to be old enough to drink.
If the tree wants to lie about it's age, it should drink more Coke (carbonated water, hahah) Celt, I was j/k about the age thing, all ancient things get carbon dated, and it's pretty accurate, geologically speaking of course. Pretty soon my kids will suggest carbon dating for me I suppose. I'm in of those days where everything just prompts some silly *** thought and I'm lettin' them come out today. Good thing no customers have dropped in....
I think it's sapling, or is it stripling? Either way, this one went way past credibility with the tree police with it's claim.
Sure the SWEDISH found the oldest tree ever in SWEDEN...bunch of lying neutral blonde pansies... i KNOW theres some ancient *** tree in asia or africa thats way older.
