Because some trees are extremely old and just don’t die, and I’m in need of some answers.
In: Biology
Yes, the answer is yes without much equivocation. It just takes longer for trees, there are examples of trees that are centuries old, but a lot of trees will last a century at the most. Palms last around 50 years while some cedars live ~2000 years.
I’m not a botanist, but in my exploration of the mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, I learned that a lot of the trees that are on the properties are simultaneously reaching the end of their life spans and dying. So they are replacing them. Seems to be somewhat of an issue.
Not sure how much value this trivia tidbit is… but, there it is.
So, in theory, you could have a tree that would literally be millions and millions years old?
i read somewhere a long time ago that many if not all plants given the right conditions are immortal.
Plants are predetermined by nature to expire at certain times. Weather and climate can change that at any time.
Some plants live only a season. Grow, reproduce, and die. These are annuals and biennials. It is usually determined by daylight time or weather, but can just be part of their lifecycle.
the short answer is yes. some trees die very young – some wattles, for instance, can grow really quick but then die at about 10 years old. it all depends on the species of tree. some can get very old, some can’t.
They do.
When they an OAK tree can last for 300 to 400 years, the reason is aging. Every living organism (including plants) are made of living cells. Every cell has its age. After which it dies. New cells take the place. The process (of replacing old dying cells) does not continue forever. The tissues deteriorate over a period of time. In plants (or trees) the capillaries that form the tunnel (series of tunnels actually) to transport water, minerals, food, etc – wear out after some time. Then replacement of cells/tissues slows down and/or stops. However, many times the death will happen when they get too old to survive and are diseased by fungus, borers, water splash & heavy winds. Plants die.
Human cells have a maximum limit they can replicate called the Hayflick limit. Once this limit is reached you cannot create any new cells to replace the old ones if they are damaged. As far as i know trees do not have this limitation.
A hazel tree will last about 80 years but if you cut it down to a stump every few years it will regrow and it will last pretty much forever.
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