Common oak

The oak tree is famous for its longevity. The Stelmušė oak in Lithuania is considered to be the oldest in the world at around 2000 years old. The circumference of its trunk reaches 13 metres. Lightning strikes oak trees more frequently than other types of trees. This could be explained as a result of its wood being moist and not oily and its extensive root system that stretches deep underground. Another surprising peculiarity of this species was discovered in the Lower Volga region where the branches of the oaks would inosculate with the neighbouring trees. In other words, the branches of two different trees would grow into one another and conjoin.