It’s common knowledge that every living thing will die over time. For animals (that includes us), death often follows when cellular regeneration grinds to a halt due to old age. Is it the same for trees? Do trees die of old age? In a word, no. In two words, it’s complicated.
Barones Tree Pros, the top choice for tree services in Sandhill, MS, will try to explain it all in this post.
Old Age Doesn’t Affect Trees Like It Affects Animals
Humans and animals are likely to fall sick and/or die at a certain age. Plants, on the other hand, do not have the same longevity factors.
Research conducted on 34 Gingko biloba trees aged three to 667 years did not show any age-related changes. The scientists found that the seed quality, leaf size, and capacity for photosynthesis did not worsen with age.
Another study, which involved 700,000 trees, showed that trees don’t stop growing even when they are centuries old. Instead of slowing down, growth actually speeds up. The trees stopped getting taller at some point but continued getting wider.
So, do trees die of old age? Does continued growth mean they can live forever? In truth, we don’t have enough evidence to categorically lean one way or the other. However, one thing is certain: Old age makes a tree more vulnerable to environmental stressors and other possible causes of death.
Why Trees Can’t Live Forever
Trees can’t live forever because it’s hard to fend off the probable causes of tree death to remain standing forever. Even the oldest recorded trees to date are all mostly under 10,000 years old. The world is significantly older than that!
Some of the top causes of tree death include the following:
Drought
Trees rely on their stores of carbohydrates and water to thrive. During periods of drought, they will slow down their metabolism while digging into these reserves. One sure way to preserve their strength begins with shedding some leaves. Unfortunately, this makes photosynthesis more difficult and might cause the tree to starve.
Severe Weather Events
The tree’s age doesn’t matter when heavy storms arrive. The age may give it more powerful roots capable of withstanding epic storms. However, the tree will come tumbling down if the high winds and floods prove too much for its roots.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Trees need nutrients to sustain their growth. An old tree in depleted soil will struggle to get all the nutrients it needs to avoid death.
Pests and Diseases
It doesn’t take much to increase a tree’s disease susceptibility. A pest or disease problem that goes on for too long can lead to root rot, heartwood decay, etc.
Get Expert Guidance From Your Local Experts
Do trees die of old age? We don’t know for certain. However, simple statistics suggest that a tree can’t maintain its structural integrity forever. Do you have a dying tree you’d like to keep alive on your property? Don’t assume it’s too old!
Call Barones Tree Pros in Sandhill, MS, at 601-345-8090 to schedule a consultation and enjoy our tree care service benefits.