Subject
the bristlecone pine
A bristlecone pine is a small, slow-growing pine tree native to high mountains in the western United States. The oldest known bristlecone pine is more than 4,800 years old — it started growing before the pyramids were built. Daily Doodle has featured bristlecone pines with sourced facts for kids 4-10, plus a printable coloring page.
Quick facts
- The oldest known bristlecone pine is more than 4,800 years old.
- They grow at elevations of 5,600 to 11,200 feet (1,700 to 3,400 m).
- They grow slowest where conditions are hardest — and that is what lets them live the longest.
- Bristlecone pine wood is so dense it resists rot, insects, and fungi.
- The species is named for the prickly bristles on its female cones.
Why kids love the bristlecone pine
Imagine a tree that started growing before anyone knew how to write. The same tree is still growing today.
The Daily Doodle issue
Frequently asked
- How old is the oldest bristlecone pine?
- More than 4,800 years old. The oldest verified individual, named "Methuselah," lives in the White Mountains of California.
- Why do bristlecone pines live so long?
- They grow extremely slowly in tough conditions, which makes their wood very dense. Dense wood resists rot, insects, and fungus, so the tree lasts.
- Where do bristlecone pines grow?
- In the high mountains of the western United States — California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona — usually above 5,600 feet.
- Can you visit a bristlecone pine?
- Yes. Great Basin National Park in Nevada and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California both have visitor trails through old-growth groves.
Sources
- Great Basin Bristlecone Pines — U.S. National Park Service
- Bristlecone pine — Encyclopaedia Britannica
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