New 1-Minute Video Script

Meet Old Major—the oldest pasture pine in this forest and likely the parent of nearly every other pine you see around you. We estimate that it began growing around 1770, nearly two and a half centuries ago.
In those early years, this land was open pasture. The stone fences nearby mark its boundaries. Old Major was probably spared when the fields were cleared so it could provide shade and shelter for grazing animals. Its broad, horizontal limbs tell the story of a tree that grew freely in open sunlight, without competition.
The next oldest pine here dates to 1863—nearly a century later, after the era of “Sheep Fever” had come and gone. While this forest has changed again and again, Old Major has watched it all unfold—from pasture to regrowth to mature woodland.
Now standing as a monument to endurance, it reminds us how a single tree can connect centuries of change in the Maine landscape.

Old Major

Ring counts are not foolproof! Trees may produce “false rings” during years of unusual weather conditions. For example, drought followed by high rain can trigger a secondary growth ring in the same year. Cooler climates are less likely to experience this kind of growth. There can also be missing rings in years of extreme drought or defoliation. The older the tree, the more opportunities there are for abnormalities, too. Maine has a fairly consistent climate without extreme drought or rainfall. Therefore, using ring counts is the best method for estimating the age of a tree and placing it in a historical context.