Tenerife has probably one of the worlds most bizarre tourist attractions, namely the Dragon Tree found at Icod de Los Vinos. I’m pretty sure that there can’t be many places in the world where a single tree is a tourist attraction, maybe one of the Great Red Wood’s or the ‘Timberland’ tree that can be found in America but that’s about it. I can’t think of many more.

The Dragon Tree in Icod de Los Vinos is said by many to be between 1000 and 1500 years old however this is more of myth and legend than truth. Whilst its exact age is not known it is thought by most scientists to be around 650 years old and is often described as the oldest tree in the world.

Unlike normal trees where the age can be determined by the number of rings on the trunk, the Dragon Tree does not display this type of growth, instead you have to count the number of forks on the trunk as a fork in the trunk occurs each time the tree comes into flower and so represents the best way to age the tree.

The Dragon Tree gets its name because of the resin that is secreted when the bark or the leaves are cut, it is said to be the dried blood of Dragons and was used in ancient times as cures for ailments.

The next time you are in Tenerife on your holidays, why not hire a car and take a trip to Icod de Los Vinos and take a look at the oldest tree in the world.