MadSci Network: Botany
Query:

Re: How long do Oak trees live?

Date: Fri Apr 5 20:36:57 2002
Posted By: David Hershey, Faculty, Botany, NA
Area of science: Botany
ID: 1018040151.Bt
Message:

Tree age is a fascinating topic because many species live for hundreds or over 
a thousand years. Several white oaks (Quercus alba) in the USA are notable for 
their great age. The famous Charter Oak of Connecticut lived about 350 years. 
Scientists in Ohio are currently studying a 373 year old white oak, which is 
considered the "Oldest Oak East Of The Mississippi". The Salem oak in New 
Jersey is estimated to be over 400 years old but Maryland claims its Wye Oak is 
almost 500 years old. There is obviously some debate as to which is the oldest 
white oak. Estimated tree ages may be inaccurate. The only sure way is to count 
the tree's rings, which may not be possible for a living tree because people 
may not wish to take a core from an ancient tree for fear of damaging it. 

The angel oak, a live oak (Quercus virginiana) in Charleston, SC is sometimes 
called the oldest living thing east of the Rocky Mountains. Angel oak is 
estimated to be over 1,400 years old. The oldest oak in Britain is an English 
oak (Quercus robur) and is estimated to be over 1,400 years old. Average oaks 
in a forest can easily live more than 50 to 100 years assuming they do not 
succumb to foresters or fires.

You might want to check the book by Lewington titled "Ancient Trees: Trees That 
Live for 1,000 Years" to see which oak it lists. Most states have a Big Trees 
list which gives the tree dimensions for the biggest trees in the state but not 
usually the ages. 

References


Charter Oak


Researchers Study Oldest Oak East Of The Mississippi


Salem Oak


Wye Oak


Angel Oak


British Tree Register


Majestic Trees of America


Champion Tree Project


Book review of Ancient Trees: Trees That Live for 1,000 Years


Pennsylvania Big Trees


25 Largest National Big Trees



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