As ancient as time itself, forests have been silently witnessing Earth’s history long before humans ever set foot on this planet.
A 2015 study published in Science1 revealed that humans have been relying on rainforest resources for at least 20,000 years—far longer than previously thought. But some forests are so old that they make even our earliest ancestors look like newborns.
Here are 14 ancient forests that have existed for millions of years, predating Homo sapiens by eons.
1. Daintree Rainforest, Australia
Age: 180 million years
The Daintree Rainforest is a living museum of plant evolution, containing species that trace their lineage back to the supercontinent Gondwana.
Covering approximately 463 square miles, this ancient ecosystem has survived continental drift, ice ages, and countless climate fluctuations, making it a true window into Earth’s distant past.
2. Yakushima Forest, Japan
Age: 7 million years
While the individual trees in Yakushima Forest may be younger, the forest ecosystem itself has existed continuously for millions of years.
The island’s unique geography has allowed it to serve as a refuge for plant species during periods of climate change, preserving ancient lineages of cedar trees that have adapted to the island’s misty, mountainous environment.
3. Tarkine Forest, Tasmania, Australia
Age: 65 million years
The Tarkine, or Takayna, is a temperate rainforest that has remained relatively unchanged since the age of dinosaurs. Home to ancient species like the Huon pine, this forest showcases the resilience of Earth’s ecosystems.
Some individual Huon pines in the Tarkine are among the oldest known living organisms, with specimens estimated to be over 3,000 years old.
4. Araucaria Forest, Chile
Age: 180 million years
Dominated by the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), this forest is a living fossil. The Araucaria genus has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years, with some fossil specimens nearly identical to modern trees.
This forest offers a glimpse into what Earth’s landscapes might have looked like during the Jurassic period.
5. Wollemi National Park, Australia
Age: 200 million years
Hidden within Wollemi National Park is a population of Wollemi pines, a species thought extinct until its rediscovery in 1994. These “dinosaur trees” represent a lineage that has persisted for 200 million years, surviving major extinction events and dramatic climate changes.
The exact location of these living fossils remains a closely guarded secret to protect them from contamination and illegal visitation.
6. Valdivian Temperate Rainforest, Chile
Age: 3 million years
While younger than some on this list, the Valdivian forest ecosystem has remained remarkably stable for millions of years. Its isolation, bounded by the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, has allowed it to serve as a refuge for ancient plant lineages.
The Alerce trees found here can live for over 3,600 years, with some specimens predating the rise of many ancient human civilizations.
7. Muir Woods, California, USA
Age: 150 million years
While the current stand of redwoods in Muir Woods may be relatively young, the redwood forest ecosystem in this region has existed for 150 million years. These trees are living representatives of a forest type that once covered much of the Northern Hemisphere during the Cretaceous period.
8. Kakamega Forest, Kenya
Age: 20 million years
As a remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest, Kakamega Forest represents an ecosystem that once spanned much of Africa. While human activity has reduced its size, the forest’s core has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years, preserving unique biodiversity and ecological relationships that predate human evolution.
9. Bialowieza Forest, Poland & Belarus
Age: 8,000 years
Though younger than others on this list, Bialowieza represents one of the last fragments of the primeval forest that once covered much of Europe.
Its ecosystem has remained relatively undisturbed since the last ice age, providing a glimpse into the type of forests that existed when early humans first arrived in Europe.
10. Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada
Age: 20 million years
The ecosystem of the Great Bear Rainforest has persisted along the Pacific coast for millions of years, adapting to changing sea levels and climate shifts.
While individual trees may be younger, the forest as a whole represents an ancient and stable ecosystem that has supported diverse wildlife, including the unique Kermode or “spirit” bear, for millennia.
11. Tongass National Forest, Alaska, USA
Age: 10 million years
As part of the Pacific temperate rainforest region, the ecosystem of Tongass has existed for millions of years. This forest has survived multiple ice ages, with areas of refuge allowing species to persist and recolonize as the climate warmed.
Today, it stands as a living link to the ancient forests that once covered much of North America.
12. Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Age: 100 million years
The giant sequoia ecosystem found in this park has existed since the Cretaceous period.
While individual trees may live for “only” a few thousand years, the forest itself represents a direct link to the age of dinosaurs, with the species showing remarkable genetic stability over millions of years.
13. Eucalyptus Forest, Australia
Age: 60 million years
Eucalyptus forests have dominated the Australian landscape for tens of millions of years. These trees evolved to thrive in Australia’s harsh conditions, developing unique adaptations like the ability to regenerate after fire.
14. Nothofagus Forest, New Zealand
Age: 80 million years
The southern beech (Nothofagus) forests of New Zealand represent an ancient lineage that once covered much of the southern supercontinent Gondwana. These forests have persisted in New Zealand since it separated from other landmasses, evolving in isolation but maintaining links to its ancient origins.
The Nothofagus ecosystem offers a window into Earth’s forests as they existed long before humans walked the planet.
Source:
1. Science
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.