August 18, 2026, 8:58 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Near the small town of Steibis in Bavaria’s Allgäu region lies a unique natural wonder. Here, on an alpine meadow, grows the so-called ancient yew. Experts estimate this tree could be up to 1,300 years old. It has now been officially recognized as Germany’s oldest tree and is also the thickest yew in the country. Even the discoverer initially had no idea when he examined the tree. TRAVELBOOK spoke with him about his findings and his honorable long-term project that honors ancient trees in Germany.
On an alpine meadow above the town of Steibis in Bavaria’s Allgäu region, at an altitude of 1,100 meters, stands Germany’s oldest tree. A yew, known as the ancient yew due to its considerable age, which experts estimate may have taken root up to 1,300 years ago. Although it grows visibly in a field, it wasn’t examined until 2025. This led to the discovery of its significant age and confirmed that no other known tree in Germany surpasses it in this regard. However, its “discovery” was rather accidental, as the man who eventually unveiled the secret of the Methuselah tree openly admits.
TRAVELBOOK reached Andreas Roloff, senior professor of tree biology at TU Dresden, by phone. His enthusiasm and almost childlike joy are immediately apparent when he talks about “his” tree. “The news made huge media waves at the time,” he recalls. “It was also a surprise to me that I had evidently discovered Germany’s oldest tree.” Since 2019, Roloff has been running the project ‘National Heritage Trees.” Funded by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation and managed by the German Dendrological Society, he has been searching throughout the country for trees of particularly advanced age.
Inspired by England
He was inspired by a trip to England, where there are reportedly more than 100 trees estimated to be over 1,000 years old. “I published an article on the subject, and then the foundation approached me.” By 2019, they had already designated three National Heritage Trees, and now there are 66. According to Roloff, the big goal is to reach 100 trees by 2029. They don’t plan to exceed this number to ensure proper care for these ancient majesties. The discovery of Germany’s oldest tree is, of course, something unique for him as well.
Also interesting: This German tree has its own address
“The yew was indeed on my list of trees I examined in the region in 2025. At first glance, it seems rather unspectacular and stands off the beaten path.” However, he quickly realized he had stumbled upon something special. “When I stood before it and saw the trunk, I was amazed.” He immediately located the owners of the yew and asked if they would agree to an age investigation. “Initially, they were not very enthusiastic because they feared an influx of visitors. But then they unanimously agreed.”
Up to 1,300 Years Old
Using a core sample just 11 centimeters long, Roloff was able to count 60 annual rings. Extrapolating this to the yew’s trunk circumference of 5.10 meters, he estimated its age to be around 1,100 years. However, since the tree likely grew faster in its “youth,” it could actually be up to 1,300 years old. Its dimensions are also remarkable because, at its altitude of 1,100 meters, it grows only half as fast as comparable trees in the lowlands. About the yew, he says: “Its trunk is a magnificent monument with crevices, bulges, bumps, ribs, cracks, and holes.”
His project, the National Heritage Trees, has long since become an international model. “In November 2026, I am invited to Singapore to speak about it at the World Horticultural Congress. There is pride and an indescribable feeling of happiness that I experience.” The foundation and his university have also granted him virtually complete freedom to act on his idea. Initially, he selected one tree per federal state. Now, trees are designated based on the size of the state. Thus, a larger state like Bavaria is allocated more potential trees than, for example, Berlin. Each designation is officially celebrated.
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Those who want to learn more about the National Heritage Trees project can find other impressive specimens on Roloff’s website. Recently, an oak in Lower Saxony was recognized, which is said to be up to 800 years old. The special feature: Each tree also has a location description for visitors. This is, of course, also true for the ancient yew of Steibis, Germany’s oldest tree. Roloff even has a special, tongue-in-cheek tip: “A stop at the Unterlauch-Alpe for a snack is highly recommended.”