Pando Tree Estimated Between 16,000 and 81,000 Years Old

As the U.S. presidential race intensifies, candidates are concentrating on crucial battleground states, coinciding with the final day of early voting in the Carolinas. Meanwhile, significant discoveries about ancient trees have emerged, including the world’s largest and one of the oldest living organisms, Pando, a quaking aspen in Utah, estimated to be between 16,000 and 81,000 years old. Additionally, the Skipinnish Oak, a 400-year-old tree, has been recognized as Tree of the Year, highlighting the importance of trees in culture and ecology amidst reports of tree species facing extinction. These findings underscore the need to appreciate and conserve ancient forests, like the Daintree Rainforest and the Tarkine, which have existed for millions of years and provide insights into Earth’s evolutionary history. The protection of these trees is crucial as they not only enrich our landscapes but also play significant ecological roles.