Newly Discovered Tanzanian Trees Date Back 3,000 Years

Newly Discovered Tanzanian Trees Date Back 3,000 Years

By
Casey Lee

Publish Date:March 20, 2025

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📰 The quick summary: Scientists discovered ancient trees up to 3,000 years old in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains, identifying them as a completely new species that can help protect these vital forest ecosystems.
📈 One key stat: Around 100 mature Tessmannia princeps trees were found growing up to 40 meters tall in two village forest reserves, with some potentially being 3,000 years old based on their growth rings.
💬 One key quote: “This was already quite a shiver-down-your-back moment because if they didn’t know [the species], it could have been something interesting,” recalls botanist Andrea Bianchi.

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1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists exploring Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains have discovered an entirely new species of rainforest tree, with some specimens potentially dating back 3,000 years. The massive trees, named Tessmannia princeps, grow up to 40 meters tall with large buttress roots supporting their towering frames. Only about 100 mature trees exist in two small village forest reserves, making them naturally rare and vulnerable to extinction. Their discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity still being uncovered in these ancient African forests and provides new incentives for protecting these vital ecosystems.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Finding these ancient trees demonstrates that important biodiversity discoveries continue to emerge from Africa’s forests. Their location within the Udzungwa Corridor project area means they already have some protection through local conservation initiatives. The trees’ discovery strengthens the case for expanding forest protection in the region. Their existence also provides scientists with new opportunities to study the evolution and ecology of African rainforest ecosystems over thousands of years.

3️⃣ What’s next: Researchers plan to conduct radiocarbon dating on core samples to verify the trees’ true age more accurately. Conservation groups aim to study the species’ ecology, distribution, population size and threats to ensure appropriate protection measures. The Udzungwa Corridor project continues working to restore and protect the 75 square kilometer area where the trees were found, linking several important forest reserves.

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Read the full story here: Mongabay – ‘3,000 year-old’ trees in Tanzania are new species

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