Alerce  (Fitzroya cupressoides)

Alerce are extremely long-lived and may survive for many successive centuries; some known specimens are estimated to be over 3,600 years old (4). Valuable information on local climate can therefore be inferred by studying the tree rings of this species, a practice known as 'Dendrochronology' (5). Regeneration of this species is extremely intermittent and appears to depend on destructive events such as volcanic activity or fire. Although pure stands can exist, alerce are usually seen emerging above a much denser forest of broadleaved trees; waiting for the competition to be eliminated before regenerating (4).