There is no real way of knowing

A text in an Icelandic newspaper reported the discovery of a 5300 years old tree in Iceland. Trees store information e.g. the climatic conditions during their lifetime. Scientists can date archaeological excavations by using historical wood. Trees are a part of our historiography. I‘m interested in the tree on Iceland. It should be around 500 years older than the previously oldest known tree in the world. I go searching. During this, I am confronted with stories and information from Icelanders and their country, alleged „hard facts“ and mythical folklore. I try not to get lost in the information, which has evidence to support or even contradict each other.