Researchers in Sweden have discovered group of old Spruce trees in dalarna with an 5,000-8,000 year old root system (clonal colony). While the individual Spruce trees may only be only several hundred years old the root system they are "sprouting" up from lives on. Original story found at...
http://www.thelocal.se/11054.html
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Old Spruce trees in Sweden
Ancient yew - St. Mary & St. Peter, Wilmington
Have you ever noticed that there seems to be a connection between old Yew trees and churches in England? Well, here is another example of an old Yew tree in the church yard of St. Mary & St. Peter´s in Wilmington. The tree is estimated to be over 1,600 years old, which means that it predates the church by a good many years.
Old oak tree at Rufford Hall
This old oak tree in it full autumn colors is located at Rufford Hall in Nottinghamshire. It is an English Oak (also called Pedunculate Oak) which is the species Quercus robur.
Large Holm Oak - Una Gran Encina
This large Holm Oak (Encina in Spanish) is located along a popular mountain bike route that is in fact the trajectory of an old set of train tracks that has been converted into a "Via Verde" (a green path). This particular stretch runs from Puerto Serrano to Olvera. This large Holm oak makes for a nice resting area for the bikers.
Oldest tree in Europe - The Fortingall Yew
This Yew tree in Scotland is believed to be around 5000 years old. It is not only the oldest tree but also the oldest living thing in Europe. It stands now behind a protective wall in the cemetary of a church.
The sign below reads...
Rooted in History
"Before you stands Europe´s - and possibly even the world´s oldest living thing. Under the dark veil of needles are two relic trunks of a huge, ancient yew tree. Scholars believe the roots of this great survivor coil back some 5000 years. The markers show you the size fo the original evergreen giant in 1769 when it had a girth of over 56 feet (17m). Sadly, it attracted souvenir hunters who removed large sections. Children then lit fires inside the hollow trunk and funeral
processions passed through its midst. Eventually, this wall had to be built to stop the tree disappearing altogether."
From Here to Eternity
"Before the arrival of Christianity, the yew was known as the "tree of eternity", and it´s easy to see why. At about 500 years old - long after most other trees have died - the yew starts to grow again. This "otherworldly" power meant early peoples revered the yew, and the tree marked their places of worship. Little wonder then that when early Christianity came to Fortingall in the
7th century they decided to build their new church next to the anciant yew."
Largest Spanish fir - "Pinsapo de la escalereta"
Not too far off the highway that leads form the "Costa del Sol" up to the old city of Ronda there is a large old Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) that is called the "Pinsapo de la Escalereta". It is the largest of this rare fir species. The mountain range where the last remaining virgin forest can be found is called the "Sierra de las nieves" (Snow mountains). The area has been declared a biosphere reserve to protect the Spanish fir and its ecosystem.
900 year old Pine tree in Italy
This 900 year old tree is a "Loricato" or "Bosnian Pine" (Pinus leucodermis) located in the Pollino National Park in Italy. This national park is the last reserve of this rare tree species. I believe that this particular tree is known localy as "il grande vicchio".
Hayedo de Montejo - Ancient Beech Forest
Hayas y robles en el hayedo de Montejo. Beech and oak trees in the Montejo beech wood., originally uploaded by Xosé Castro.
In Spanish the name of the Beech tree is "Haya" and the word "Hayedo" means Beech forest. Near the town of Montejo (about an hour drive north of Madrid) there is a famous "Hayedo" or Beech forest. Apart from the fact that it is a very beautiful forest in its own right with the feel of being enchanted in spring and autumn it´s main claim to fame is that it is the southernmost oldgrowth beech forest in Europe. They say that Beech trees used to grow much more extensively throughout Spain but that over the centuries the changing climate slowly drove them north. Farther north from Montejo it is not uncommon to find "Hayedos".
Castaño Santo de Istan - Sacred Chestnut of Istan
This is a very large Sweet Chestnut tree (Castanea Sativa) located up in the mountains above San Pedro de Alcantara in southern Spain. It is a rather difficult tree to find if you are not familiar with the area. There is a rough dirt road that starts at the backside of a golf course in San Pedro. Once you are on the right dirt road it is about an one hour of very slow driving (or hiking if you are up to it). The best way seems to be to go by Quad or dirt bike. About 20km up the dirt road you come to a sign and another dirt road where you turn left and go down about 200 yards to the tree following some signs. The Sacred Chestnut is in a stand of old growth trees that include some very large Oaks (most of which are Cork Oaks). The day I visited this tree I scared out a wild pig that was feeding on acorns under the Cork Oaks. The Sweet Chestnut is the tree that edible Chestnuts grow on.
Green trees on a French mountainside
I like this image of trees on a French mountainside above Aussois because of how it captures so many different tones of green. So often when you see a picture of a forest all the trees are pretty much the same tone of green. This image has a very pleasant blend of greens that give the picture an almost 3D quality.
Mediterranean coral tree
This flower does look a lot like a member of the Erythrina genus but I am not sure which species it is exactly. I can rule out Caffra, Crista-galli and lysestimon. At any rate the picture is beautiful.
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