Sugar maple tree thought to be 330 years old
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Peterborough, Ontario is home to what’s believed to be the world’s oldest sugar maple tree - nestled in Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park.
Wasyl Bakowsky a Ministry of Natural Resources biologist, discovered the tree while on a hike with his family last summer. Bakowsky said that he counted 330 rings on the tree, adding he didn’t drill all the way to the centre – which means that the tree is older than 330 but it’s unclear by how much.
The previous record holding tree is alive in Maine, believed to be 315 years old. Prior to that a 380-year old sugar maple was discovered in Waterloo, Ont. but was declared dead.
While the discovery of the tree has only been made public recently, Bakowsky reported his findings to Ontario Parks back in March.
The sugar maple is an iconic Canadian symbol, with black maple being the major source for sap to produce maple syrup.