Latest news with #MethuselahTree
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
There's a tree in California that's older than the Egyptian pyramids
BIG PINE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Hidden high in the White Mountains of eastern California, a gnarled, weathered tree quietly holds a staggering secret — it's nearly 5,000 years old. Known as the Methuselah Tree, this Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) is one of the oldest known living trees on Earth, having sprouted around 2830 BCE — over a century before the Egyptian pyramids rose from the sands. Nestled within the Inyo National Forest's Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the Methuselah Tree has long fascinated scientists, historians, and nature lovers alike. Its twisted trunk and timeworn branches are shaped by millennia of harsh winds, snow and sun, standing as a living witness to human history. Methuselah was once considered the oldest living non-clonal tree in the world — meaning it has survived as the same individual organism for nearly 5 millennia. Although other slightly older bristlecones have since been discovered, Methuselah remains one of the most iconic ancient trees on the planet. California State Parks rolls out new reservation upgrades to help campers find perfect site A tree older than civilization A tree's age is usually determined by counting its growth rings. Each year, a tree adds a new ring to its trunk, so the number of rings shows how old it is. Scientists don't have to cut the tree down to count the rings. Instead, they use a special tool to take a thin core sample from the trunk. To put the Methuselah Tree's age in perspective: It began growing centuries years before the Great Pyramid of Giza was built, and it was already over 3,000 years old when Julius Caesar ruled Rome. Despite its fame, the exact location of the Methuselah Tree is kept secret by the U.S. Forest Service to protect it from vandalism and foot traffic. Visitors to the Methuselah Grove can hike the area's scenic trails, which feature other bristlecone pines estimated to be thousands of years old. Why bristlecones live so long The Great Basin bristlecone pine thrives in extreme conditions where few other trees can survive — high altitudes, rocky soil, and low moisture. This tough environment actually contributes to the species' longevity. As explained by officials with U.S. Department of Agriculture, slow growth, dense wood, and natural resilience make bristlecones incredibly durable over time. Scientists continue to study the Methuselah Tree and its ancient relatives to gain insight into climate patterns, forest ecosystems, and tree aging. Hike to the world's largest wooden trestle bridge — it's in Southern California Trekking the Methuselah Trail For those seeking a walk through living history, the Methuselah Trail offers a rare, humbling encounter with the endurance of nature. Visitors can explore the area by hiking a 4.5-mile loop, considered moderate by popular hiking app AllTrails, that winds through the grove where many of these old trees grow. The trail and forest are open seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the high elevation — the trail sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level. It's recommended to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be aware of potential altitude effects. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Methuselah Tree can technically be seen along this trail, but there is not a sign that points it out. Do you think you can spot it? As the world changes around us, the Methuselah Tree stands quietly on its windswept ridge, reminding us of nature's resilience — and the importance of preserving it for generations to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
28-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
This California forest has a tree that's nearly 5,000 years old. But its location is a closely guarded secret
High in the arid mountain forests of eastern California there is a living tree that's older than the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city-state of Babylon — but its location is a secret. The Methuselah tree, named after an especially long-living character in the Book of Genesis, is estimated to have started growing roughly 4,857 years ago in the White Mountains just north of Death Valley. That would put its germination date around 2,833 B.C., nearly 3,000 years before the foundation of the Roman Empire and older than all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Scientists believe it is either the oldest or second-oldest living tree known to humanity — excepting clonal colonies, in which individual trees live and die as part of the same ancient collective organism. Even so, the Forest Service does not disclose the exact location of the Methuselah tree and has not marked it in any way, in order to protect it from vandalism. Methuselah is the oldest known tree in the Methuselah Grove, which stands at nearly 10,000 ft above sea level in what is now Inyo National Forest. It's a standout example of the Great Basin bristlecone pine, formally known as pinus longaeva. Because they are adapted to live in such harsh environments the trees are extraordinary resilient and resistant to infection. Through a process called 'strip barking', even a tiny sliver of the tree can remain alive after the rest expires, with thin strands of living matter twisting up through a dense shell of dead wood. But bristlecone pines aren't the only arboreal survivors on Earth. Some scientists believe there is a Patagonian cypress tree in the rainy mountains of Chile that is around 5,400 years old. Known as the Millennial Alerce, or sometimes Gran Abuelo (Spanish for 'grandfather'), the tree's age was estimated using a new statistical method that is not yet broadly accepted among researchers, rather than by the traditional way of counting rings of wood within the trunk. Clonal colonies — that is, groups of trees that have all sprouted off from the same ancient ancestor — can persist for many millennia, even as the individual trees live and die. One colony of quaking aspen in Utah, known as Pando, is thought to be between 9,000 and 16,000 years old, but is taking a beating from climate change. There is also one bristlecone in California's White Mountains that may be even older than Methuselah and more secret. Back in 2009, according to the tree age researcher Peter M. Brown, another researcher named Tom Harlan began studying old tree samples left to him by his predecessor. Harlan apparently found one sample he estimated to be 5,062 years old and told Brown the tree it came from was still alive. But the actual sample seems to be missing and if Harlan knew the tree's location he took it to his grave.
The Hill
28-07-2025
- Science
- The Hill
The tree in California that's older than the Egyptian pyramids
BIG PINE, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) — Hidden high in the White Mountains of eastern California, a gnarled, weathered tree quietly holds a staggering secret — it's nearly 5,000 years old. Known as the Methuselah Tree, this Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) is one of the oldest known living trees on Earth, having sprouted around 2830 BCE — over a century before the Egyptian pyramids rose from the sands. Nestled within the Inyo National Forest 's Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the Methuselah Tree has long fascinated scientists, historians, and nature lovers alike. Its twisted trunk and timeworn branches are shaped by millennia of harsh winds, snow and sun, standing as a living witness to human history. Methuselah was once considered the oldest living non-clonal tree in the world — meaning it has survived as the same individual organism for nearly 5 millennia. Although other slightly older bristlecones have since been discovered, Methuselah remains one of the most iconic ancient trees on the planet. A tree older than civilization A tree's age is usually determined by counting its growth rings. Each year, a tree adds a new ring to its trunk, so the number of rings shows how old it is. Scientists don't have to cut the tree down to count the rings. Instead, they use a special tool to take a thin core sample from the trunk. To put the Methuselah Tree's age in perspective: It began growing centuries before the Great Pyramid of Giza was built, and it was already over 3,000 years old when Julius Caesar ruled Rome. Despite its fame, the exact location of the Methuselah Tree is kept secret by the U.S. Forest Service to protect it from vandalism and foot traffic. Visitors to the Methuselah Grove can hike the area's scenic trails, which feature other bristlecone pines estimated to be thousands of years old. Why bristlecones live so long The Great Basin bristlecone pine thrives in extreme conditions where few other trees can survive — high altitudes, rocky soil, and low moisture. This tough environment actually contributes to the species' longevity. As explained by officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, slow growth, dense wood, and natural resilience make bristlecones incredibly durable over time. Scientists continue to study the Methuselah Tree and its ancient relatives to gain insight into climate patterns, forest ecosystems, and tree aging. Trekking the Methuselah Trail For those seeking a walk through living history, the Methuselah Trail offers a rare, humbling encounter with the endurance of nature. Visitors can explore the area by hiking a 4.5-mile loop, considered moderate by popular hiking app AllTrails, that winds through the grove where many of these old trees grow. The trail and forest are open seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, depending on weather conditions. Be prepared for the high elevation — the trail sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level. It's recommended to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and be aware of potential altitude effects. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Methuselah Tree can technically be seen along this trail, but there is no sign that points it out. As the world changes around us, the Methuselah Tree stands quietly on its windswept ridge, reminding us of nature's resilience — and the importance of preserving it for generations to come.
