The oldest trees on Earth
Chapter 1
The survivors of the White Mountains
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 2
The science of tree rings
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 3
Methuselah and the secret ancients
View / Create
Answer
YOUR GOAL
Master of The oldest trees on Earth
Ch 1 · The survivors of the White Mountains
teacher Older than the pyramids (so true!) Still breathing on the mountain peaks (how about you?)
Fun Fact
Bristlecone pine needles: Some individual green needles on Great Basin bristlecone pines have been actively photosynthesizing since the late 1980s.
Glossary
bristlecone (noun)
A long-lived pine tree of western North America having cones with prickly-tipped scales. Edmund Schulman discovered these ancient trees thriving above ten thousand feet in California's Inyo National Forest.
A long-lived pine tree of western North America having cones with prickly-tipped scales. Edmund Schulman discovered these ancient trees thriving above ten thousand feet in California's Inyo National Forest.
Quiz
What unique type of alkaline, light-colored rock do bristlecone pines prefer to grow in?
Quiz
In which mountain range of California are the oldest Great Basin bristlecone pines found?
Quiz
At what approximate elevation range do Great Basin bristlecone pines typically grow?
Quiz
Why does the extremely slow growth rate of bristlecone pines actually help them live longer?
Quiz
How long can a single green needle remain alive and active on a Great Basin bristlecone pine?
Quiz
Which environmental threat is naturally minimized for bristlecones due to their sparse, isolated growing patterns?
Quiz
How long can a dead bristlecone pine tree remain standing on its roots before falling?