Discovered in 2013, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, or Pinus Longaeva, announced the Oldest Tree in the World. The tree is an astounding 5,062 years old and still living. Not yet been named, the tree was discovered in the higher mountains of the southwest United States. Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves in the arid mountain regions of six western states of America, but the oldest are found in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of California. with a remarkable ability to survive the in extemely harsh and challenging environment, the Bristlecone pines are believed to be some of oldest living organisms in the world, with lifespans excesseding the 5,000 yeras.
Pines Longaeva is very dense and resinous giving the tree the ability to resist to invasion of insects, fungi and any other potential pests. In fact the wood’s extreme durability plays a big role in the tree’s longevity. While other trees suffer rot, Pines Longaeva can endure, even after death, still standing on their roots, for many centuries. Rather than rot, exposed wood, on living and dead trees, erodes like stone due to wind, rain, and freezing, which creates unusual forms and shapes.
The next oldest tree on the list with nicknamed "Methuselah", also located in the White Mountains near Bishop, is 4,843 years old (as of 2012). The exact locations of both trees are kept secret to prevent tourists and hikers from damaging the trees. Previously, a 4,862-year old Bristlecone pine nicknamed "Prometheus", was cut down shortly after it was discovered in 1964 by a geology graduate searching for evidence of Ice Age glaciers.
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