Scientists have discovered the world’s oldest known juniper shrub in Finland, and it’s an incredible 1,647 years old!
Researchers from the University of Padua in Italy found this ancient plant in Utsjoki, a region in Finnish Lapland, and studied its age by counting its annual rings.
Their findings were published in the journal Ecology.
The researchers determined that the juniper started growing in 260 CE and lived until 1906.
However, it might have started even earlier, as it is difficult to count every single growth ring accurately. This makes it the oldest known shrub in the world dated using this method and the oldest woody plant in Europe.
Professor Marco Carrer, the leader of the research team, highlighted the significance of this discovery. “Juniper is the most widespread woody species in the world. It can survive in extreme conditions, from scorching deserts to freezing Arctic environments. Now, we have found the world’s oldest shrub, adding another remarkable achievement to its legacy.”
The researchers discovered this ancient juniper during a visit to the Kevo Subarctic Research Institute, part of the University of Turku, in Utsjoki.
The plant was found about five kilometers from the research institute in 2021.
At first, they estimated the age of the juniper to be 1,242 years old. However, after further analysis in 2024, they revised their estimate to an astonishing 1,647 years.
The team also found four other juniper shrubs in Utsjoki that are more than 1,000 years old. Previously, the oldest recorded juniper in Finland was a 1,070-year-old shrub from Lemmenjoki. This new discovery has pushed the record forward by nearly 600 years.
The researchers studied old junipers not only in Finland but also in other Arctic and subarctic regions, including Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, and Russia’s Ural Mountains.
In addition to Utsjoki, they found junipers over 1,000 years old near the Abisko Scientific Research Station in Kiruna, Sweden.
Dr. Angela Luisa Prendin, one of the researchers from Padua, explained why junipers are so valuable for scientific studies: “We analyze wood rings to learn about climate changes and how vegetation has developed over time. In the far north, where trees are rare, smaller plants like junipers help us understand environmental history.”
By studying the annual rings of these ancient junipers, scientists can gain insights into past climate conditions, extreme weather events, and environmental changes over centuries. The data can also help date ancient wooden artifacts accurately.
The Kevo Subarctic Research Institute played a crucial role in helping the team conduct their studies. The institute is part of the INTERACT network, which supports Arctic research around the world. Director Otso Suominen explained, “As the northernmost research station in continental Europe within the INTERACT network, we provided guidance on research locations, assisted with permits, and supported the team’s fieldwork.”
This remarkable discovery not only sets a new age record for junipers but also deepens our understanding of Arctic ecosystems and their history.
Who knows what other ancient plants might still be out there waiting to be discovered!
