Located specifically in the White Mountains of Eastern California, the oldest living tree presently identified is a tree named as Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. The age of the tree is estimated to be around 4800 years old. Incidentally, this tree started growing also at the start of the development of human civilization.
Lively and strong up to these days, bristlecone pines can grow in height in the range of 8,000 to 12,000 feet. It would be easy to encounter these trees in the high mountains of California, Utah and also Nevada.
The bristlecone trees grow broadly separated from (http://jtroth NULL.smugmug NULL.com/photos/339267607_erk5C-L NULL.jpg) each other. And when you see them, it is quite amazing – just like a display of natural bonsai art blended in by tiny alpine plants.
As the terrains where they usually grow are generally rocky and alkaline in a dry and cold environment with an awfully compressed growing season, the trees find it advantageous because of less rivalry posed by other trees and shrubs for very limited resources such as water and top soil. At the same time, the trees are protected away from damaging pests, fungus, and fire.
Another remarkable property of these trees is that can be able to endure wide-ranging injury or damage against any of its parts. The very slow growing process makes these trees to be solid and strong.
Nature is really amazing!
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