The bristlecone pine found in the Great Basin is the world's oldest tree, with an age of nearly 5,000 years.

In California, the oldest Great Basin bristlecone pine is famously known as Methuselah.

The bristlecone pine found in the Great Basin is the world's oldest tree, with an age of nearly 5,000 years.
The bristlecone pine found in the Great Basin is the world's oldest tree, with an age of nearly 5,000 years.

The bristlecone pine species found in the Great Basin is the oldest.

The species' oldest tree, known as Methuselah, is over 4,800 years old.

The Great Basin bristlecone pine's longevity can be attributed to its ability to withstand various weather conditions, including intense winds, snow, and rain. Its unique, twisted shape is a result of the tree's adaptation to these types of weather, according to the National Park Service's website.

Discover the fascinating details about the Great Basin bristlecone pine and the oldest tree of its kind.

The oldest Great Basin bristlecone pine is one named Methuselah.

The age of the oldest tree is estimated to be around 4,856 years old according to Guinness World Records.

A close-up photo of a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine tree next to a wider photo of a hiking trail featuring the trees
The Great Basin bristlecone pine is the oldest tree species in the world, with many trees dating back around 4,000 years and the oldest at almost 5,000 years old.  (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the U.S. Park Service website, while Methuselah is known as the oldest species member, there are several Great Basin bristlecone pines that are over 4,000 years old.

The Great Basin bristlecone pine's ability to withstand harsh weather and its unique growth contribute to its longevity.

According to the National Park Service, the tree's roots supply nutrients to the sections of the tree that are directly above them. If a root dies, only the section of the tree that is being fed through that particular root will also die, while the rest of the tree continues to grow.

The Great Basin bristlecone pine is a very rare species.

According to the National Park Service website, the trees are located in California, Nevada, and Utah.

Bristlecone Pines in California park
Great Basin bristlecone pines are very rare and found in only a few states. (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

One location where you can observe ancient trees up close is Great Basin National Park in Nevada.

According to the National Park Service, there are three Great Basin bristlecone pine groves in the park, namely Wheeler Peak, Mount Washington, and Eagle Peak.

The Great Basin bristlecone pines can be viewed on scenic drives in the Nevada national park, which also features hikes suitable for all skill levels.

In Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is home to numerous ancient tree species.

The National Park Service suggests hiking on the Fairyland Loop trail or the Bristlecone Loop trail at Rainbow Point to view the Great Basin bristlecone pines in Utah.

At Yovimpa Point in the Bristlecone Loop, there is the oldest tree in the park, which is approximately 1,600 years old, as stated by the source.

Bristlecone Pine trees in Wheeler Peak
National parks in Utah, California and Nevada are home to the ancient tree species. (Galen Rowell/Corbis via Getty Images)

Along the Peekaboo Loop trail and Rim Trail, you can view trees of various species.

In California, Great Basin bristlecone pines can be found in Inyo National Forest, which is the third location where these trees can be seen.

The U.S. Forest Service states that the largest Great Basin bristlecone pine in the world is located in this park, specifically Patriarch Grove.

In 1957, Edmund Schulman, a researcher, discovered the oldest Great Basin bristlecone pine, according to Live Science.

According to the source, the age of the tree was determined by counting rings obtained from core samples of other Great Basin bristlecone pines in the vicinity.

Bristlecone Pine Tree in Inyo County
Methuselah is the oldest living tree of the Great Basin bristlecone pine species. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Prior to Methuselah, the oldest tree of its kind was Prometheus, a tree located on Wheeler Peak that was approximately 4,900 years old when it was cut down in 1964.

According to the National Park Service, a geographer named Donald R. Currey cut down the tree while conducting research on ice age glaciology.

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The Great Basin bristlecone pine samples were granted permission to be taken by the United States Forest Service in the specified area.

According to the National Park Service, the tree cut down by Currey had 4,862 growth rings. However, it was believed that the tree, now chopped, dated back even further than that.

The exact location of Methuselah, which is found in the Inyo National Forest, is kept secret by the U.S. Forest Service for its protection, as stated on the USDA website.

by Ashlyn Messier

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