TL;DR
A Wikipedia compendium lists individual trees considered notable for cultural, historical, natural or mythological reasons. Entries span continents and include living specimens, historic trees that have died, and legendary specimens tied to religion and folklore.
What happened
The source is a dynamic, crowd-editable list that compiles notable individual trees from around the world. It groups trees by region and by whether they are living or historical, and includes living specimens such as South Africa’s Sunland Baobab (about 1,060 years) and Iran’s Cypress of Abarkuh (listed at about 4,500 years), as well as historical trees that have fallen, like Zimbabwe’s Panke Baobab (dated to 2,419 years and recorded as fallen in 2011) and Sierra Leone’s Cotton Tree (a historic Freetown symbol that fell on May 24, 2023). The list also records religious and mythological trees — for example, Sri Lanka’s Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is dated to 2,300 years and is said to originate from the Bodhi Tree tied to the Buddha. Some entries include coordinates and notes on use, such as a baobab that once housed a pub or a milkwood that served as a local post point. The page cautions that the list may never be complete and invites contributions with reliable sources.
Why it matters
- Individual trees can be living records of local history, religion and culture, often tied to important events or traditions.
- Ancient trees provide biological and ecological value as long-lived organisms and, in some cases, hold records useful to science.
- The loss or decline of named trees documented on the list highlights conservation and heritage preservation challenges.
- Aggregating these trees in a public list helps researchers, heritage managers and the public locate and verify notable specimens.
Key facts
- The list covers trees regarded as notable for historical, national, locational, natural or mythological reasons and includes both living and historical specimens.
- Several African entries include large baobabs and ancient fig and milkwood trees; examples: Sunland Baobab (approx. 1,060 years) and Glencoe Baobab (listed at 1,835 years).
- Panke Baobab in Zimbabwe was dated at 2,419 years and is recorded as having fallen in 2011; Chapman's Baobab in Botswana is recorded as having fallen in 2016.
- The Cotton Tree in Freetown, Sierra Leone — an historic city symbol — is recorded as having fallen on May 24, 2023.
- Asia entries include the Cypress of Abarkuh (Cupressus sempervirens) in Iran, listed at about 4,500 years, and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka, dated to about 2,300 years and planted in 288 BC.
- The Methuselah Judean date palm at Ketura, Israel, is noted as a tree grown from a roughly 2,000-year-old seed and listed at age 20 in the source.
- Menara, a Yellow meranti in Sabah, Malaysia (northern Borneo), is recorded with a reported height of 97.58 metres, cited as the world's tallest tropical tree.
- Several European entries note ancient yews, oaks and landmark trees used in local lore or to mark historical events (for example, the Lone Pine at Gallipoli and the Birnam Oak mentioned in Shakespeare).
- The page provides coordinates, a link to map coordinates via OpenStreetMap, and downloads (KML) for listed locations.
What to watch next
- Recorded losses and collapses of ancient trees: multiple entries note dated falls (for example, Panke Baobab, Chapman's Baobab, the Cotton Tree).
- not confirmed in the source: ongoing or planned conservation actions specific to these named trees.
- not confirmed in the source: new scientific re-dating or verification efforts for ages listed on the page.
Quick glossary
- Baobab: A common name for several species of large, long-lived trees in the genus Adansonia native to Africa and Madagascar, noted for thick trunks.
- Clonal colony: A group of genetically identical plants that have grown from a single ancestor by vegetative reproduction, appearing as one large organism.
- Crown area: The ground area covered by the spread of a tree's branches and foliage.
- Coordinate (geographic): A pair of latitude and longitude values that locate a point on the Earth's surface.
Reader FAQ
Does the list include mythological or religious trees?
Yes. The compilation includes both physical trees and those from myths and religions.
Is the page a definitive register of all notable trees?
No. The source states it is a dynamic list that may never satisfy standards for completeness and invites contributions.
Are the ages and measurements on the list verified?
not confirmed in the source.
Can I map the locations provided on the page?
Yes. The source notes coordinates are provided and can be mapped via OpenStreetMap; KML downloads are also offered.
Toggle the table of contents List of individual trees 6 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools Coordinates: 52°52′16″N 107°32′13″W From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Not to be confused…
Sources
Related posts
- The Myth of the ThinkPad: Why Durability and Repairability Serve Business
- Boeing knew of engine‑mount flaw linked to UPS cargo crash, NTSB update
- Researchers Show All 23-Bit Game of Life Still Lifes Are Glider-Constructible