Old Tjikko- The oldest clonal tree

KarlH's picture

Location

Fulufjället
Sweden
61° 34' 59.9988" N, 12° 40' 0.0012" E
SE
General info: 

Old Tjikko is the world's oldest individual clonal tree. The age of this Norway Spruce tree is an unbelievable 9,550 years and it is located on Fulufjället Mountain in Sweden.

The trunk itself is estimated to be only a few hundred years old, but the tree as a whole has survived almost ten thousand years due to a process known as layering. When branches touch ground, they can sprout new roots and if the original trunk dies, the root system is still alive and may sprout a new trunk.

The age of the tree has been determined by carbon dating of the root system under the tree.

Getting there: 

The tree is located on Fulufjället Mountain. There is a small path leading up towards the tree. However, it is unmarked, as park rangers do not want to encourage large groups of tourists to surround the tree. A free guided tour can be arranged at the entrance (Naturum) that can take tourists to the tree.

The closest village is Särna.

Costs: 

It is free to hike in Fulufjället area.

Interesting places nearby

At Nesbyen you will find a complete ski resort with excellent facilities for alpine skiing, telemark skiing, Nordic skiing and snowboard.

Norefjell is one of the most dominating mountains in Southern-Norway, and is considered as the private://realprivate:// mountain closest to oslo. The terrain is hilly, with Høgevarde as the highest point at an altitude of 1459m.

Oppdal is a snow-secure ski resort in Central-Norway, with 17 ski lifts and 30 runs spread out on 4 mountains. The majority of the runs are sunny and above the timber line.

Modern skiing resort with real wilderness! Grönklitt is one of Sweden's most southern ski resorts, yet this is where you are most likely to find snow.

Tryvann Winter Park is located at the top of Holmenkollen, only 20 minutes from downtown Oslo. Here you find 14 runs and 7 ski lifts, including 2 4-seat chairlifts. The longest run is 1400m long, and has a drop of 381m.

BASE: 524ft
SUMMIT: 1968ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1443ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 5
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 5