So how old do you think the oldest tree in the world is? If
you’re thinking in the hundreds, you’re nowhere near. Thousands? Spot on. In
fact, back in 2008, the BBC reported the discovery of a particularly ancient spruce
on Fulu Mountain in Sweden. Actually, the words ‘particularly ancient’ don’t
quite cut it for this phenomenal specimen; at a whopping 9,550 years’ old it’s
safe to say this tree is ridiculously
ancient. It’s pretty hard to get your head around the fact that its roots where
taking hold during the Ice Age…jeeze…
Up until this amazing discovery, scientists had thought the
oldest trees in existence where around 4,000 years old, so they were a little
way off the mark.
We love all tress, young and old, but it’s safe to say that
any tree that has more than two zeros in its age is pretty exceptional, and
should not only be looked upon with awe, but protected to the best of our
abilities. That’s why, when we heard the recent news from Florida, it nearly
brought a tear to our eyes…
A 3,500 year old Cypress tree, lovingly called The Senator,
was destroyed in a fire. Ouch. At first arson was suspected, but after an
investigation it has been ruled out. However, due to the left over remains of a
campfire at its base, some still have their suspicions.
If this atrocity was
caused by arson, then we have something to say about it. It is unfathomable to
us that such a magnificent tree, which started growing even before the Great
Wall of China was completed, should be struck down by an idiot with a match.
The poor old thing, which was hollow, burnt from the inside out, it’s great 118ft
height reduced to a 20ft smouldering stump. Our fists are clenched just
thinking about it.
Out of all living things, it is only our beloved trees that
are capable of reaching such a magnificent age. If they had eyes, just think
what they would have seen. To put it into perspective, Sweden’s 9,550 year old
Spruce was growing way before the
Pyramids were built, and has lived through every birth and death of every
single notable figure in history: Caesar, Plato, Aristotle…Jesus Christ. This,
we think, is truly amazing.
Let’s hope that if it was arson that killed Florida’s
Senator, then the perpetrators are caught and punished sufficiently. If it was,
however, a freak of nature that caused the fire, then we just have to gulp down
our sorrow and realise that nature will have its way. After all, nothing lasts
forever.
