Germany's 1,100‑Year‑Old Alpine Yew Confirmed as Oldest Tree

A yew (Taxus baccata) estimated to be around 1,100 years old has been identified on a remote alpine meadow in the Upper Allgäu, between the villages of Steibis and Balderschwang in Bavaria. The tree, growing at about 1,100 m altitude on a north‑west‑facing slope near the upper limit of the yew’s natural range, was examined by the German Dendrological Society, which measured a trunk circumference of 5.1 m. Researchers say the tree likely arrived naturally, perhaps via bird‑dispersed seed, and has survived harsh winter conditions and limited sunlight.

The discovery makes the Allgäu yew the oldest known tree in Germany, overtaking the previously recognized 1,000‑year‑old lime tree in Lower Saxony. Its longevity offers a living link to the region’s natural and cultural history, spanning centuries of climate change and human activity.