Gnarled and Wise: The Worlds Oldest Living Inhabitants

Jordana Weiss | April 17, 2017

Nothing can match the quiet contemplation of sitting under a magnificent tree and enjoying the shade of its branches. While there are plenty of trees around the world that draw visitors because of their beauty, there are certain trees on the planet that are remarkable because of their fantastically old age. These trees were planted thousands and thousands of years ago, and are some of the oldest living inhabitants of planet Earth. What is even more remarkable is that these trees are each a unique species. From yews to pines, each tree just gets more interesting to look at as it ages.

1. Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses

The name given to this gigantic chestnut tree comes from a remarkable legend, which says that one hundred knights on horseback were caught in a thunderstorm nearby, and were all able to take shelter under the massive canopy of the tree. The Chestnut Tree of One Hundred Horses is remarkable not only because of its name, but because it is located a mere five miles from Mt. Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. This tree has lasted thousands of years (some estimates its age at 4,000 years old) sitting in one of the most dangerous spots on Earth.

Joan Quevedo Fle / Shutterstock

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