Bristlecone Pine - World's Oldest LivingTrees

The bristlecone pines are a small group of pine trees (Family
Pinaceae, genus Pinus, subsection Balfourianae) that are thought to
reach an age far greater than that of any other singleliving organism
known,up to nearly 5,000 years.
The oldest (acknowledged) living organism known is a bristlecone pine
tree nicknamed"Methuselah" (after Methuselah, the longest-lived person
in the Bible). Methuselah is located in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine
Forest in the White Mountains of eastern California, however its
precise location is undisclosed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect
the tree from vandalism. The age of Methuselah was measured by core
samples in 1957 to be 4,789 years old.
Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves at and just below the
treeline. Because of cold temperatures, dry soils,high winds, and
short growing seasons, the trees grow very slowly. The wood is very
denseand resinous, and thus resistant to invasion by insects, fungi,
and other potential pests. As the tree ages, much of its vascular
cambiumlayer may die. In very old specimens, often only a narrow strip
of living tissue connects the roots to a handful of live branches.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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