Description

The bristlecone pines are one of the world's oldest living organisms (3); the oldest known living tree is called 'Methuselah' and has been dated at a mighty 4,789 years of age (2). These ancient trees have a fittingly gnarled and stunted appearance, especially those found at high altitudes (4), and have reddish-brown bark with deep fissures (2). The green pine needles give the twisted branches a bottle-brush appearance. The name bristlecone pine refers to the dark purple female cones that bear incurved prickles on their surface (5).