TREE FACTS – The Oldest Trees in the UK & the World

Did you know that trees are the longest living organisms on Earth, and never die of old age.

What is the World’s Oldest Tree?

California in the United States holds the record for the oldest living trees on Earth. Some of the state’s bristlecone pines and giant sequoias are over 4,000 years old. Among these ancient trees is Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) that stands in the White Mountains of Inyo County, eastern California. Methuselah is an astounding 4,856 years old, making it the oldest known non-clonal tree in the world.

The tree is named after the biblical figure Methuselah, who is said to have lived to 969 years of age, thus becoming synonymous with longevity or old age in many European languages including English.

What is the UK’s Oldest Tree?

The Fortingall Yew in Perthshire is thought to be the oldest tree in the UK, with an estimated age of 2,000 to 3,000 years. As with many ancient yews, it resides in a churchyard and is so massive that funeral processions were said to have passed through an arch formed by its split trunk. Today, the trunk has divided into several parts, giving the appearance of multiple trees rather than a single one.

Another Contender:

Located in the village of Llangernyw in North Wales, the Llangernyw Yew is estimated to be at least 4,000 years old, standing proudly in a small graveyard. This ancient yew is deeply rooted in Welsh mythology and is celebrated as one of the 50 Great British Trees.

Although its age is challenging to determine precisely due to significant fragmentation over time, experts suggest it could be as old as 5,000 years. According to local legend, the tree is inhabited by a spirit named Angelystor, who, every Halloween, announces the names of those who will face their end in the coming year.

A Historic Backdrop for a Secret Romance

The Ankerwycke Yew in Berkshire is another tree renowned for its remarkable age and historical significance here in the UK. Located on the Runnymede National Trust estate, this ancient yew is believed to have stood witness to the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215, making it the last living witness to this pivotal event in world history.

Situated near the River Thames and the village of Wraysbury, the tree boasts a circumference of over eight meters and features large hollows within its trunk. The tree is also reputed to have been a backdrop for secret romantic meetings between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in the 1530s.

Sources:

Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2024/01/the-oldest-tree-in-the-uk-how-long-do-trees-live

Conservation International: https://www.conservation.org/blog/methuselah-still-the-worlds-oldest-tree

Trees Atlanta: https://www.treesatlanta.org/news/the-oldest-tree-in-the-world/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_trees

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Mark

What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbo... What a find, a totally professional experience from start to finish. The level of service is second to none. The survey outlined what would be required, advised on any contact for consent from neighbours if required and what the short and long term expectations would be. The team that undertook the extreme pruning of fir trees on the boundary of my property were polite, engaging, professional and made sure I was happy with the end result. Never having had to engage a tree services before I had no idea of pricing and was more than surprised at the value for money. Meticulously clearing up afterwards and removing all debris the same day. Plus points, everything, negative points, none. I would most highly recommend.

2 days ago

Roland

This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact ... This is the first time i have used any Tree service , and Artemis were totally brilliant . I needed some fir trees trimmed back as they were overgrowing the border fence . From the very first contact right through to the completion of works their whole team were always prompt and on time , professional , knowledgeable and efficient . There was regular communication and reminders leading up to the booked appointment . During the initial survey and appointment everything was explained and my inquisitive questions engaged and answered. They completed the work and cleared up everything . Great service and would definitely use them again .

2 weeks ago

Anonymous

Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys t... Top service from start to finish. Surveyor came round to check the job and give thoughts. Set up was thorough as we needed to get permits, keys for a shared gate and the ok from neighbours. Two guys that did the work were friendly, organised and probably left the garden looking tidier than when they started. Thoroughly recommended.

1 month ago

Matt O'Neill

Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.... Very easy to deal with at both office & on-site. Good process flow from quoting through to invoice. Safe, professional & considerate staff when on-site too.

2 months ago

David

Very pleasant staff. Punctual and efficient. Carried out good job, communicated very well with neighbour, and cleaned up well. A fair price as well....

Doug

As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and cour... As a direct neighbour to tree felling and garden clearance work being carried out by Artemis yesterday in by Harrow, I can’t speak highly enough of their skill, hard work, considered approach and courtesy. A great team who I would not hesitate to use myself.

3 months ago

Paul

I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.... I thought the Artemis team were absolutely brilliant. From coming to quote , prompt , and cutting back 2 oak trees they did a highly Professional and excellent job.

Jill, Pinner

Efficient, thorough. Listened to what we wanted and carried out expertly. All v neat and tidy. Good job all round....

J M

Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carri... Thank you Artemis for your excellent tree surgery work as part of ongoing maintenance over many years. The garden poses problems, but as ever the team were cheerful, efficient and everything was carried out exactly as planned. I shall continue to recommend Artemis.

4 months ago

Green hill housing

we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.... we have had work done with them and they do a wonderful job, from start to finish everything was perfect again, not a leaf leaf left behind, workmen were polite and professional.

Jan

Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't see... Artemis took down two lime trees who's roots had damaged the garage floor and were an inch away from the foundations of the house . The trees were in a very awkward place to get to but this didn't seem to trouble this highly competent team. The team were extremely well equipped , and they worked together like a well oiled machine. We were delighted with their work, tidiness and very pleasant manner. And it was at a fair price.

David Pooley

Excellent value, great work on a terrible day...good lads!...

5 months ago

Diana Stuckey

Excellent service with experienced people who did an excellent job of pruning my tree. Would definitely use them again....

Jonathan

Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!... Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!

Phil

Very professional job. The man in charge was excellent. Did the job exactly as we wanted it. Would highly recommend....

6 months ago

I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, profess... I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, professional and friendly. They do great job and I would highly recommend.

7 months ago

Friendly staff. Work carried out efficiently. Left the area clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend Artemis....

Chris

Artemis are very efficient, knowledgeable, professional and easy to deal with....

This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again... This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again I'm sure.

8 months ago

Natasha

Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, ... Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, really lovely and left our garden tidier than it was before they arrived. We won’t hesitate to recommend Artemis to anyone needing tree work done

Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definite... Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definitely recommend.