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Trees are living history.
Now, scientists have discovered a Patagonia cypress tree in Chile known as Great Grandfather orAlerce Milenariois even older.
A member of theFitzroya cupressoidesspecies, the magnificent tree is 13 feet in diameter and 92 feet tall.
Moss flourishes on its surface and smaller trees have even taken root in its cracks.
The team counted 2,400 growth rings in the section of core.
However, they were not even able to reach the center of the enormous tree.
Therefore, they turned to a computer model to complete the ring count.
This makes him older than Methuselah, the former record holder.
The ancient trees have genes and a very special history because they are symbols of resistance and adaptation.
They are nature’s best athletes, Barichivich explains.
Publishing their findings and protecting the tree from trophy-seeking vandals are the next steps.
A wooden platform has already been built to help prevent the trampling of the trees roots.
Certainly at his age, Great Grandfather has earned respect.
