This Massive Tree in Montana Is Over 1,000 Years Old

Here’s a Montana fact that might surprise you. One of the tallest and oldest trees in the entire country is quietly standing in the heart of Big Sky Country.

You won’t find it behind glass in a museum or at the end of a paved trail surrounded by tour buses. Instead, it’s tucked deep in a quiet grove near Seeley Lake.

Montana is Home to One of the World's Oldest Trees

Meet Gus, a massive Western Larch tree that’s believed to be more than 1,000 years old. Reaching 154 feet into the air and boasting a nearly 23-foot circumference, this forest giant actually rises higher than the Statue of Liberty.

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While official records call Gus the largest Larix occidentalis (Western Larch) in the United States, many locals will tell you it’s the biggest one on Earth.

According to the Montana Natural History Center, Gus lives within the Jim Girard Memorial Tamaracks Grove near Seeley Lake, a 60-acre protected area managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The grove was established back in 1953 to honor forester James W. Girard, who devoted his career to studying and preserving Western Larch trees.

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In 2020, Gus earned a well-deserved national spotlight when the National Register of Champion Trees officially named it the Largest Western Larch in America.

If you’re planning a trip to Seeley Lake, set aside some time to visit this natural wonder.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or just someone who loves finding Montana’s best-kept secrets, Gus is a must-see. Standing beneath his massive branches is a humbling reminder of how old, wild, and beautiful the Treasure State truly is.