The Oldest living thing in the world

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Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: The Oldest living thing in the world
Language: English
Year: 1939
Subject: Trees.; General Sherman tree (California, United States)
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Abstract: Without doubt, the oldest living thing in the world is a tree. In California there is a great sequoia tree named the General Sherman, the age of which is "estimated to be about 3,500 years, and it may live for 5,000 years if not destroyed by accident or disastrous climate changes," according to Mr. E. T. Karganilla of the Philippine Bureau of Science.
Fulltext: 66 THE YOUNG CITIZEN Februar11, 1939 The Oldest Living Thing in the World giant is 33 feet in diameter, but is 5 feet shorter than the General Sherman; it has a volume of 45,000 board feet. In the Yosemite National Park, California, the Grizzly Giant of Mariposa Grove measures 30 feet in diameter at the base, and 204 feet in height. It is estimated to be about 3,800. years old. An automobile road has been constructed thr.ough the base of this tree. Compare the size of the house and the trees. There is a cypr~ss tree 250 rnUes south of the City of Mexico which has a diameter of 50 feet at its base. An authority estimates the age of this tree as 7,000 years, and says it is ·'the oldest living wonder of nature." If this estimated age is correct, this was .a living tree when the ancient civilizations of the Hebrews, the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and other races existed. WITHOUT doubt, the oldest living thing in the wo~ld is a tree. In California there is a great sequoia tree named the General Sherman, the age of which is "estimated to be about 3,500 years, and it may live for 5,000 years .if not destroyed by accident or disastrous climate changes," according to Mr. E. T. Karganilla of the Philippine Bureau of Science. The dimensions of this tree are given as- follows: diameter at the base, 37.3 feet; diameter 100 feet above the~· ground, 18.7 feet; height, 273.9 feet. Its circumference at the ground is 88 feet. It has a volume of 50,000 borird feet, enough material to build 500 fiveroom houses. To transport its trunk, a train of 30 cars would be needed. Another great tree 1n California is called the General Grant. This forest Compare the ~ize of the auto and the trees.