Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2016 11:02 pmToday I visited the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in eastern California outside of Big Pine. The bristlecone pines rank as the oldest living things on Earth. They typically grow at elevations between 9,000' and 11,000'. They grow in white rocky soil, dolomite, a highly alkaline limestone. It's not that the Bristlecone pines need or "prefer" the dolomite, it's a matter of competition. These hearty trees have adapted to this challenging soil condition and can survive and even thrive in it. This gives them a competitive edge in germination which they need as they grow so slowly. The key to their longevity is location. The harshest growing conditions produce trees that live the longest. The trees pictured here are 3,000-4,000 years old. On a longer trail is the Methuselah Tree which has been dated to over 4,700 years old. The sad thing is that the oldest trees are not marked or noted by signs in order to protect them from vandalism and arson.
The root systems form interesting shapes and are massive and very shallow to be able to access limited water. The branches twist and turn in dramatic manner.
What an awe-inspiring experience it was to see and touch these ancient and resilient trees that germinated when the rest of the world was just In the very beginning stage of developing writing and hadn't even yet thought of building the pyramids.
Sandi
The root systems form interesting shapes and are massive and very shallow to be able to access limited water. The branches twist and turn in dramatic manner.
What an awe-inspiring experience it was to see and touch these ancient and resilient trees that germinated when the rest of the world was just In the very beginning stage of developing writing and hadn't even yet thought of building the pyramids.
Sandi