Interesting Trivia

[tonyc1]

In the local paper here in Tasmania, the state forestry say they have found a 101 metre Swamp Gum. It is second only to a Coast Redwood in Redwood National Park in the US which is 115 metres. They say the gum may have been taller had not an unknown amount broken off over the past 400 years. The one beside it is 86 metres. They didn't say how old the Redwood is. Does anyone here know?

Tony

[Crystal]

In the local paper here in Tasmania, the state forestry say they have found a 101 metre Swamp Gum. It is second only to a Coast Redwood in Redwood National Park in the US which is 115 metres. They say the gum may have been taller had not an unknown amount broken off over the past 400 years. The one beside it is 86 metres. They didn't say how old the Redwood is. Does anyone here know?

Tony

Hi Tony-

This is what I found with a quick look. Says the redwood tree would be over 1,000 years old.

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/OlgaVapnyar.shtml

But this was a neat topic, so I looked a little further. This is the oldest tree on earth (not the tallest.)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7353357.stm

Crystal

[tonyc1]

Hi Tony-

This is what I found with a quick look. Says the redwood tree would be over 1,000 years old.

http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/OlgaVapnyar.shtml

But this was a neat topic, so I looked a little further. This is the oldest tree on earth (not the tallest.)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7353357.stm

Crystal

Thanks, Crystal. Very interesting reading. We have some very old trees here also. They harvested one Huon Pine in the mid 70's when they dammed the Gordon River and it was purported to be 3000 years old. Look up Huon Pines on Google, good reading!

Tony.

[Crystal]

Thanks Tony! I found some pictures and info on the Huon Pines. Such interesting trees. I think it is just amazing that there are things like this that are still alive after thousands of years. Thanks for the point in their direction.

Crystal

Thanks, Crystal. Very interesting reading. We have some very old trees here also. They harvested one Huon Pine in the mid 70's when they dammed the Gordon River and it was purported to be 3000 years old. Look up Huon Pines on Google, good reading!

Tony.

[Johanna]

Not as old, but just as impressive is tha Angel Oak near Charleston, SC, It is believed to be about 1500 years old, and has survived earthquakes and hurricanes and mankind, who valued oaks for their wood so much that much of the Lowcountry was deforested in Colonial times.

http://www.angeloaktree.org/gallery.htm

Johanna

[tonyc1]

That Angel Oak tree is incredible and it is unbelievable that it is still alive. It is sad to think that there must have hundreds of these old trees once and now there are so few. The trees in general must be the oldest living things on the planet and yet they are hardly given a thought unless they make headlines.

Tony.