UK: World’s oldest fossil forest dating back 390 million years discovered

Among the world's ancient forests, an unexpected treasure lies nestled in upstate New York—a discovery that defies expectations. If reports are to go by, at the heart of Cairo, USA, lies a network of trees believed to have once stretched over 400 km (250 miles), concealed at the base of a sandstone quarry.

This fossil forest, estimated to be a staggering 386 million years old, surpasses even the age of renowned natural wonders like the Amazon rainforest, India's legendary jungles, and the remote forests of southeast Asia.
In a collaborative effort led by scientists from Binghamton University, New York State Museum, and Cardiff University, a detailed mapping of approximately 3,000 sq m of the forest was undertaken in 2019. Within the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley, this ancient woodland offers a glimpse into a primordial ecosystem. Among its inhabitants are early plants known as cladoxylopsids, reminiscent of ferns, and Archaeopteris trees adorned with frond-like branches. Additionally, a single specimen of a third tree type, possibly a lycopod, was unearthed, adding to the forest's botanical diversity.
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What sets this ancient woodland apart is its unique mode of reproduction—all these trees propagated solely through spores rather than seeds, marking a significant stage in botanical evolution. Dr. Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, described the experience of walking amid the roots of these ancient trees as a journey through time.



He elaborated on the reconstruction of the living forest, envisioning a landscape teeming with coniferous-like trees interspersed with clumps of fern-like plants, painting a vivid picture of the forest's ancient past.
Moreover, Dr. Berry stressed the importance of understanding the ecology and habitats of these early forests in unraveling the mysteries of global environmental processes. Through groundbreaking research and collaboration with Sheffield University, scientists delve into the fossil soil between the trees, probing geochemical changes to gain insight into Earth's transition into a forested planet.

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This remarkable discovery not only sheds light to the ancient history of our planet, but also explains the pivotal role of early forests in shaping Earth's ecological landscape. Through the lens of this ancient woodland, we will gain a deeper understanding of the processes driving global change, paving the way for a more comprehensive appreciation of our planet's rich natural history.