Forever young is what most of us would love to hear and this is true for some people who don’t seem to have aged an inch years after you last saw them! How do they manage to do so is the million francs question? Who knows, trees, as we will explore in this article, may have the answer to this age old question.

Let’s put our hands together for the oldest tree alive which is a pine tree. Apparently, it started growing in A.D 941 and is still alive and well todate! Another phenomenal tree is a type of tree called a spruce named, Old Tjikko, which resides in Norway! Apparently, it is more than six thousand (6,000) years old. This explains the term ‘sprucing up’, which is used when talking about renewing or changing the way things look like. In Africa, the Baobab tree in South Africa is believed to be the oldest.

But how is the age of trees discovered, you may ask. Some researchers do this byradio carbon dating the tree, others find the ageby counting the rings it has in its trunks. Each year that elapses, there is usually a ring that is created in the tree trunk and these are the ones that tell the story of the tree and its lifestyle and that of its neighbours.  If there was a fire, drought or disease in that area, it will show in the tree rings; similarly, if the year was a great one with plenty of rain and sunshine this goodness will also be reflected. Talk about tall tales being told by trees.

In line with our innate desire to live forever, we are passionate about leaving legacies behind for others to remember us with. From a very tender age, students recognize this desire in them and try as they know best to make a mark. Is it any wonder that at the end of a school year students write on the walls, most times in graffiti form, ‘Never forget …’ as a plea not to be forgotten?

 Clearly, a tree is a great memorial to invest in. There are only benefits to planting tree; better eco systems, oxygen supplies, habitat for animals name it. But best of all your tree may live on for a much longer time and in so doing carry on your story to many more generations. How great is that?

Lois Nakibuuka is an educator and counsellor

lnakibuuka@yahoo.com