3,000-Year-Old California Redwood Trees Successfully Cloned from Stumps

A group of men stand on the massive stump of a felled redwood in an undated photograph. Photo: Ericson Collection, Humboldt State University LibraryArborists have successfully cloned saplings from the stumps of five ancient redwood trees in California, YaleEnvironment 360 reported.

The cloning initiative was spearheaded by Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, a nonprofit dedicated to reviving endangered redwood forests. The organization planted 75 of the cloned saplings in the Presidio of San Francisco park in December.

The DNA used for the saplings was harvested from the roots of the stumps of felled ancient redwood trees, which ranged from 31-35 feet in diameter and are estimated to be up to 3,000 years old. It took two and a half years to propagate the saplings from the genetic material found on the roots, according to the organization.

“These saplings have extraordinary potential to purify our air, water and soil for generations to come,” David Milarch, an arborist and co-founder of Archangel Ancient Trees said in a statement.

The nonprofit has also planted saplings in Oregon and in Cornwall, England, and plans to continue growing and planting the saplings in nine other countries.