Skip to main content

Old Tjikko- The oldest clonal tree

Location

Fulufjället

Sweden

61° 34' 59.9988" N, 12° 40' 0.0012" E

See map: Google Maps

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.

You might be interested in

Cliffs Of Moher

The Cliffs Of Moher are the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland.

Tugela Falls

Tugela Falls is the world's second highest waterfall after the Angel Falls in Venezuela. The Tugela River makes a series of five consecutive leaps down the amphitheater wall in the high Drakensberg Mountains.

Lago di Carezza

Lago di Carezza is an incredibly beautiful alpine lake just on the foot of the Dolomites mountains. The turquoise blue water is crystal clear and reflects the Dolomites towering behind the lake.

Monte Cristallo

Monte Cristallo (3,221 m) is the highest peak of the Cristallo mountain group in the Italian Dolomites. The mountain group is a long, indented ridge with four summits higher than 3,000 metres.

Preikestolen

Preikestolen is a unique rock formation towering 604 meters over the Lysefjord near Stavanger. The top of the rock is completely flat with an area of 25mX25m and it looks like the whole block is cut with a knife.

Trolltunga

Trolltunga (Troll's tongue) is a piece of rock jutting horizontally out of a mountain a staggering 700 metres above the lake Ringedalsvatnet in Odda, Norway.

Interesting places nearby

Kungliga Slottet

The official residence of Swedish monarchs is the Stockholm Palace. Originally, it was built in the 13th century as a fortress, but through the ages, it developed into one of the most impressive palaces in the world.

Stadshuset

Stockholm City Hall or Stadshuset as the Swedes call it, is the seat of the local government, but more importantly, it is the place where The Nobel Prize ceremony is held every year.

Gamla Stan

Known in the past as the city between the bridges, Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old town) is one of the most popular attractions of the city. It is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe.

Kjerag and Kjeragbolten

On the other side of the Fjord from Preikestolen is another breathtaking cliff, Kjerag. Its highest point is 1110 m above sea level, but it is the northern drop to Lysefjorden that attracts most visitors.

Trolltunga

Trolltunga (Troll's tongue) is a piece of rock jutting horizontally out of a mountain a staggering 700 metres above the lake Ringedalsvatnet in Odda, Norway.

Preikestolen

Preikestolen is a unique rock formation towering 604 meters over the Lysefjord near Stavanger. The top of the rock is completely flat with an area of 25mX25m and it looks like the whole block is cut with a knife.