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

BASE: 1561ft
SUMMIT: 2700ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1138ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 6
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 6

Edsåsdalen is a warm-hearted, friendly mountain village which is alive all year round. You can go round on blue sleds which you borrow whenever you like for as long as you want.

Eikedalen ski resort is located 55km from downtown Bergen, a drive that takes only 45 minutes. The ski resort is situated at Kvamskogen, which is the major starting point for skiers in the area in winter.

One of only two gondola lifts in Sweden (the other is at Åre) takes skiers to the top of Branasberget. The resort has a modern snow making system and some of the longest runs in southern Sweden.

To timer fra Kristiansand, i Setesdal, ligger Brokke. Brokke er Sørlandets nyeste vinterdestinasjon. Her kan du oppleve ekte skiglede uansett alder eller ferdighet.

Bydalsfjällen offers excellent alpine skiing on slopes in high situation as well as further down in the woods.