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July 21, 2025

Earth’s Oldest Trees Are Dying Faster Than Ever

Across the globe, ancient trees are disappearing faster than scientists ever expected. In Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, some of Earth’s oldest trees — centuries-old firs, larches, and pines — are dying at an alarming rate. Many are between 300 to 500 years old, silently witnessing our planet’s climate shifts for centuries.

Now, rising heat, prolonged droughts, and human encroachment are pushing these ancient giants to the brink. Experts warn that this accelerating trend may trigger the most severe old-growth forest decline in modern history.

Why Are Earth’s Old Trees Dying Fast?

1. Drought & Heat Stress:

One major reason old trees are dying is climate stress. Hotter, drier seasons are pushing old-growth trees to their limits. A 2025 study from Eastern Oregon revealed that trees over 300 years old are dying 25% faster due to extreme drought and heat.

When water is scarce, these enormous trees can’t transport enough moisture through their trunks, which weakens them and makes them more vulnerable to disease and pests.

2. Deforestation:

Logging, mining, and land clearing continue to worsen the old-growth forest decline. When forests are destroyed or fragmented, the remaining trees lose the protection of their ecosystem.
Ancient trees left standing in open sunlight often overheat or dry out—leading to faster death rates.

3. Urban Encroachment and Wildfires:

Urban expansion and wildfires have also increased the rate of Earth’s oldest trees dying. While natural fires used to help forests regenerate, today’s wildfires—intensified by heat and fuel buildup often burn too hot, killing even resilient old-growth trees that once survived smaller fires.

4. Changing Ecosystems:

Climate change affecting ancient trees is another growing concern. Many old species that once thrived in stable climates are struggling to adapt to sudden environmental changes. Unpredictable rainfall, warmer winters, and shifting soil nutrients are creating conditions these trees were never built for.

What Scientists Are Discovering:

In Malheur National Forest, scientists found a troubling pattern. Trees that showed slower growth in the past five years were more likely to die next. They also observed that forests without natural fire for over a century had the highest mortality.

Small, controlled wildfires actually benefit ancient trees. They thin out younger trees and reduce competition for sunlight and water. Without fire or thinning, young trees grow too densely and starve the older ones of vital resources.

Experts now recommend active forest management in dry regions like Eastern and Southern Oregon. By removing select younger trees and allowing controlled fires, forests can become healthier and more balanced.

Trees of different ages fight with one another:

According to new research, scientists found a pattern. The probability of a tree dying increased if its development had slowed during the previous five years. People who lived in forests that hadn’t seen a wildfire in over 130 years were also at greater risk.

It turns out that wildfires are important. By cutting down younger trees, they naturally thin the forest. Newer plants develop loosely controlled and compete with older plants for light, water, and nutrients if there is no fire or human trimming.

Putting aside forests as protected reserves is an effective method of maintaining older trees in Western Oregon’s wetter and most productive Douglas-fir-dominated forests.

But our study shows that in order to preserve the older trees in the dry forests of Eastern and Southern Oregon, we must actively control the removal of younger trees.

Why Ancient Trees Matter:

These ancient trees don’t just exist as old plants—they function as living ecosystems. They have stored centuries of carbon, purified the air, and provided homes to wildlife. When these trees disappear, we lose biodiversity, disrupt carbon storage, and throw off the natural climate balance all at once.

Their wide canopies cool the air, their roots protect soil, and their lifespans record hundreds of years of Earth’s history. Losing them would mean losing a vital part of our planet’s natural memory.

The Global Warning Signs:

The issue of ancient trees disappearing isn’t just limited to Oregon. In Africa, even the continent’s legendary baobab trees have shown unexpected collapse due to prolonged drought and rising heat. Research shows that trees in South American and Australian tropical forests are growing more quickly but dying younger, which lowers their capacity to store carbon.

If these trends continue, scientists estimate that by the end of this century, **up to 75% of the world’s oldest trees** could vanish—taking with them centuries of natural resilience.

What Can Be Done to Save Ancient Trees:

1. Controlled Forest Thinning:

Older trees have greater access to light, water, and nutrients when dense areas of younger trees are removed. This lessens stress and delays the decline of old-growth forests.

2. Prescribed Fires:

By preventing overgrowth, low-intensity controlled burns can promote the growth of **ancient trees**. For thousands of years, forests depended on natural cycles, which these fires imitate.

3. Protecting Old-Growth Forests:

By establishing protected areas, Earth’s oldest trees are shielded from development and industrial logging. These reserves have already recovered more strongly in California and Oregon.

4. Ongoing Monitoring:

Through long-term observation, scientists can track how climate change affects ancient trees and develop new conservation plans before it’s too late.

The rapid loss of Earth’s oldest trees is one of the clearest warnings of a planet under pressure. But this crisis is not irreversible. We can slow the old-growth forest decline and give ancient trees a chance to survive by restoring forests, reducing emissions, and practicing smart conservation. These giants stood tall long before us—and with our help, they can continue to stand long after

FAQs

Why are Earth’s oldest trees dying faster now?

Ans. Researchers have discovered that climate change, drought, and forest overgrowth are rapidly killing ancient trees. Younger trees compete for resources, and heat stress adds even more pressure.

2. How does climate change affect ancient trees?

Ans. Climate change affects ancient trees by altering rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions. Prolonged droughts weaken them, making them vulnerable to pests and diseases.

3. Why are old trees so important?

Ans. Old-growth trees act as carbon sinks, purify air, provide wildlife habitat, and regulate local weather. Their survival keeps ecosystems stable and supports biodiversity.

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