In the mountains of Lebanon, above 1000m, live the Cedars of Lebanon. Due to human excess over the centuries there are few of the really ancient trees left and the government has launched a major replanting scheme but it will be hundreds of years before the forests are restored (a cedar less than 500 years old is referred to as "young").

However, a few of the really old trees remain and some have been dated and have been living on their remote mountain-side for over 4000 years.

Kind of makes our own existence on this earth a little insignificant by comparison :-)

Thank you, David, for this post. I love it. No. 3 into my favs. It must be breathtaking to walk among these giants... ????? · 2010-05-12: 11:22

*sigh* it sure does. ????? · 2010-05-12: 11:23

Quite a switch in the colour of the landscape. Old trees look so magnificent. Somebody, help ! - stop the human caterpillars please ! redro · 2010-05-12: 14:10

It certainly puts things in perspective :-) jet28 · 2010-05-13: 05:45

David, I happened to notice this wonderful post about the Cedars of Lebanon. Great photo and really good narrative that gives us perspective for our lives! (My college friend lived in Jerusalem for a long time and she told me that the cedars were nearly destroyed long ago. She gave us a small Christmas ornament made of cedar that we treasure.) Thank you for this post! djnana · 2010-05-13: 09:33

n°1 is fantastic manuele · 2010-05-13: 11:31

Amazing;) JaCkYe · 2010-05-13: 12:21

Nice set! :)) Goldbrandi · 2010-05-13: 13:09

These are beautiful. The trees remind me of a wood near here where we have ancient yew trees - some up to 2000 years old. girafferacing · 2010-05-13: 16:09

Ancient trees are wonderful to behold. dontblink · 2010-05-13: 20:57