What Is the Oldest Tree in the World?

By Olivia Barney

Have you ever wondered, "What is the oldest tree in the world?" We have too, which is why our team sat down with NHMU Curator of Botany, Mitchell Power, Ph.D., to uncover the answer. Power told us about a couple of candidates that have incredible longevity, like a Norway spruce in Sweden that's over 9,000 years old or a specific bristlecone pine that's over 5,000 years old. But if clonal organisms are contenders, then a clonal forest of aspen trees called Pando would take the win.  Listen to his response, then keep reading for a deeper dive into Pando, clonal forests, and the oldest trees in the world.

The Pando aspen clone is seen along the shores of Fish Lake in Utah on Oct. 2, 2025. Pando is believed to be the largest, most dense organism ever found at over 13 million pounds. The clone spreads across 106 acres, consisting of over 40,000 individual trees. Jack Rodgers

Everything You Need to Know About Pando

Within the forests surrounding Fish Lake in Utah, a group of over 40,000 aspen trees form Pando. But Pando isn’t your average aspen forest. Despite the large number of trees in this system, Pando is special because genetic testing confirmed that it’s only one tree producing clones of itself — in other words, Pando is one tree that has sent out over 40,000 shoots that are genetically identical.

We refer to Pando as one tree because the group is genetically identical and behaves as one tree: all 40,000 shoots collect energy, manage defenses, and change leaves at the same time, as if it were one singular tree. Many other trees across North America reproduce via cloning, including beech, apple, coastal redwood, alder, oak, and aspen. Of these clonal groups, Pando still represents the largest and oldest.

How Big Is Pando?

The Pando clone is the largest living organism by weight, clocking in at just over 13 million pounds. Pando is also the largest living organism by land mass, spreading across 106 acres in Utah. So, while the more iconic redwood trees might be the tallest trees on Earth, Pando takes the crown for being the largest tree.

Pando is also estimated to be the oldest living plant on Earth. Some research estimates Pando to be between 60,000-80,000 years old, which means that it was alive during the last Ice Age. If you visit Pando today, imagine life 12,000 years ago. This same tree could have been visited by iconic Ice Age animals like the Columbian mammoth or a giant ground sloth!

The Pando aspen clone is seen along the shores of Fish Lake in Utah on Oct. 2, 2025. Pando is believed to be the largest, most dense organism ever found at over 13 million pounds. The clone spreads across 106 acres, consisting of over 40,000 individual trees. Jack Rodgers

What Does Pando Mean?

Pando is a Latin word meaning “I spread,” which makes it an apt name for an organism that produces clones of itself. It was given the nickname in 1992 by scientist Michael Grant, though Grant wasn’t the scientist to recognize Pando for what it was. That honor belongs to aspen ecologists Burton Barnes and Jerry Kemperman, who made the discovery in 1976 while working around Fish Lake.

Can You Visit Pando?

If you’re interested in seeing this remarkable tree, you can visit Pando for yourself. Whether you’re looking to drive through the area, wander the forest, or spend a few nights camping, it’s easy to visit Pando. Check with the USDA Forest Service for information on campground reservations and permits, current conditions, and fire alerts. Much of Pando is fenced off for its protection, but don’t let that deter you; public access gates allow entrance to the area.

Discover the Beauty of Pando