Base of a Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California Thousands of years of soil erosion have exposed the roots of this tree, which spread out in all directions. The bristlecones send shallow roots out for as much as 50 feet. These wide, shallow root systems allow them to capture moisture before it evaporates.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of California.
http://suisekiart.com/2008/07/27/the-oldest-trees-on-earth/

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jtroth > Bristlecone Pine; 11,000 feet, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California;

This is an old bristlecone pine, many of which are over 4500 years old. They began life before the pyramids were built, and are still vigorous today. The next picture shows a closeup of the base of the tree from the other side, showing the work of soil erosion in shaping the tree.

jtroth > Detail of previous picture showing the base of the tree.

The soil erodes at a rate of about 1 foot/thousand years. The end of the exposed root on the right is about 3 feet off the ground.

jtroth > Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California

The bristlecones are segmented so that any damage only affects one part of the tree. Here you can see where the main trunk has been killed, and a portion of the tree on the left, but the rest of the tree continues to grow as vigorously as ever.

This tree shows the magnificent beauty of the bristlecone pine.

jtroth > Bristlecone Pine; Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California (10,000 feet)

This might be two trees whose roots grew together long ago. Bristlecones that grow near each other will merge roots and even trunks - sharing resources and increasing their ability to survive. As the next closeup picture illustrates, the lower, dead portion is supporting the living tree above, keeping it from falling down the slope.

jtroth > Close up of joined trees; Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California (10,000 feet)

The soil has eroded away under the roots of the upper, living, tree. The lower, dead, trunk is supporting it and preventing it from falling down the hill. The next picture has a view from the other side, which shows how the soil has completely eroded away.

jtroth > The other side of the joined trees.

These trees have been here for a very long time, and the only support seems to come from the dead portion below.

jtroth > Base of a Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California

Thousands of years of soil erosion have exposed the roots of this tree, which spread out in all directions. The bristlecones send shallow roots out for as much as 50 feet. These wide, shallow root systems allow them to capture moisture before it evaporates.

jtroth > Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California

This tree appears to have been hit by lightning. Almost the entire tree was killed, but one lifeline remains and that part is growing as strongly as if it was on a young, whole tree.

jtroth > Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California

Soil erosion has killed the roots on the downhill side. The next picture shows this in a closeup of the base.

Base of a Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California

Thousands of years of soil erosion have exposed the roots of this tree, which spread out in all directions. The bristlecones send shallow roots out for as much as 50 feet. These wide, shallow root systems allow them to capture moisture before it evaporates.