We are all aware of how long trees can live. It comes as no surprise that they typically outlive humans and possibly the majority of other species on Earth. Depending on the species, trees can live anywhere from less than 100 years to more than a few thousand. One species, nevertheless, lives longer than the others all combined. With a lifespan of more than 5,000 years, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) has been recognized as the oldest tree ever.
The bristlecone pine thrives in tough environments, which may explain why it lives a long life. High winds and extremely cold temperatures combined with a slow development rate result in dense wood. This indicates that certain years they grow so slowly that no ring of growth is added.
The Oldest Tree in the World
The bristlecone pine is immune to insects, fungi, decay, and erosion because of its slow growth and solid wood. Bristlecone pines are rarely impacted by wildfires since the area where they grow is devoid of vegetation. These sluggish-growing trees can grow as tall as 50 feet and as wide as 154 inches at the trunk.
These remarkable trees have needles that can last up to 30 years. As a result, the trees don’t have to grow new ones, which allows them to conserve energy. The bristlecone pine cone matures slowly compared to other conifer trees in the conifer family, taking about two years.
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