⏰ when
When was the earliest known tree fossil dated?
Quick Answer
The earliest known tree-like fossils date to about 390 million years ago, in the Middle Devonian period.
The Full Story
The oldest widely cited tree fossils come from the Devonian period, around 390 million years ago. One of the key finds is Wattieza, a tree-like plant from the Middle Devonian of what is now New York State. These early trees were very different from modern ones: they reproduced by spores, not seeds, and had no flowers or fruits. Their rise helped reshape Earth’s atmosphere and soils by moving huge amounts of carbon into woody trunks and roots.
Key Facts
1.Earliest tree fossils: about 390 million years ago
2.Wattieza is among the oldest known tree forms
3.These plants predated seeds, flowers, and fruits
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The first trees appeared far earlier than most people think."
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