One unusual looking tree can be found in parts of Nevada, but in particular they are located in the Great Basin National Park. These trees are instantly recognizable from their gnarled, twisting shape.
Great Basin National Park is home to many groves of Bristlecone Pine trees.
J Brew/Flickr
Scientists believe the tree is the oldest-living tree on the planet and most believe the oldest living organism (although some point to the cresote bush for that honor).
J Brew/Flickr
The trees live so long because they are made for living in some very harsh environments.
Peter Prehn/Flickr
You can most often find them in areas with cold winters, strong winds, and higher elevation.
Dan Hutcheson/Flickr
They are also resistant go bugs, fungus and erosion due to the fact they are very dense.
Zest-pk/Flickr
The tree gets its name from their pine cones which are covered with sharp bristle.
Malcom Manners/Flickr
The easiest grove of trees in Great Basin National Park can be found by hiking on Wheeler Peak.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Perhaps one of the oldest Bristlecone Pines in the park was known as the Prometheus tree.
J Brew/Flickr
In 1964, a scientist was studying the trees and took a sample from one particularly old and large one.
John Paul Endicott/Flickr
The scientist was taking samples from the tree and accidentally broke off his tool in the tree. He was forced to cut the tree down to get the tool back.
J Brew/Flickr
After examining the rings of the tree, he found that it was probably about 4,900 years old. Years later a Bristlecone about 5,065 years old was found in California, but it’s highly likely there are even older ones still in Nevada.
pablo_mark/Flickr
Have you had the pleasure of seeing one of these amazing trees in person? Share in the comments!
J Brew/Flickr
Peter Prehn/Flickr
Dan Hutcheson/Flickr
Zest-pk/Flickr
Malcom Manners/Flickr
Ken Lund/Flickr
John Paul Endicott/Flickr
pablo_mark/Flickr
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