Question

Tree  

Plant   Dear Jennifer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tree_genera
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_life_span

Similar to study of animals maximum life span in zoology, can
botanists trace maximum life span of trees ?

For example :

Human Being - 130 years.
Cat - 20 years.
Dog - 25 years.
Tortoise - 150 years
etc

Is it possible to trace and define Maximum Life Span of Trees and Plants ?

Tree examples : Coconut, Banyan, Peepal etc
Plant Examples : Ferns, Vines, Alga etc

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

Answer
Unfortunately, I do not think it is possible to define the life span of trees and plants other than annuals and biennials.  An annual will typically die in less than 1 year.  A biennial typically completes it's life cycle in 2 years or less.  For perennials, the life span is variable and plants of the same type in different locations will be greatly affected.  Some people speculate that hardwood trees can live for hundreds or thousands of years.  Often, they do not die from "old age", but from disease or insect attack.  Sorry that I can not give you a better answer, but I do not think that scientists have the answer to your question at this time.