The Oldest TreesAncient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains of California.
http://suisekiart.com/2008/07/27/the-oldest-trees-on-earth/http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-136-edited/339266905_P4tzF-Ti.jpghttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/gallery/5539489_saRS4/2008-07-31T04:22:36ZCopyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugBristlecone 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 pyr ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 pyr ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266905_P4tzF" title="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 pyr ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-136-edited/339266905_P4tzF-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 pyr ..." title="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 pyr ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-27T09:05:37Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-136-edited/339266905_P4tzF-Th.jpg2008-07-04 13:05:2737.38550338100000-118.179073334000003048Detail 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 ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266957_9cfUq" title="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 ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-147-edited/339266957_9cfUq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 ..." title="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 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-27T09:05:03Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-147-edited/339266957_9cfUq-Th.jpg2008-07-04 13:18:33Bristlecone 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 ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266849_J7ZPW" title="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 ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-126/339266849_J7ZPW-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 ..." title="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 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-27T09:08:57Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-126/339266849_J7ZPW-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:42:1937.38546928180000-118.178966045000003048Bristlecone 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 m ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 m ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266700_S3srU" title="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 m ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-114-edited/339266700_S3srU-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 m ..." title="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 m ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-27T09:05:03Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-114-edited/339266700_S3srU-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:28:42Close 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 supp ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 supp ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266746_CCQrW" title="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 supp ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-117-edited/339266746_CCQrW-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 supp ..." title="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 supp ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-09-17T13:26:34Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-117-edited/339266746_CCQrW-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:30:19The 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.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266797_SCv4m" title="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."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-120/339266797_SCv4m-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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." title="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." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-27T09:05:04Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-120/339266797_SCv4m-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:32:31Base 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 a ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 a ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#342607704_TyeEX" title="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 a ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-105-edited/342607704_TyeEX-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 a ..." title="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 a ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:21:31Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-105-edited/342607704_TyeEX-Th.jpgBristlecone 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 lifel ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 lifel ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267004_Y4YTP" title="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 lifel ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-157-edited/339267004_Y4YTP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 lifel ..." title="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 lifel ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:14Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-157-edited/339267004_Y4YTP-Th.jpg2008-07-04 13:40:35Bristlecone 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 ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />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 ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267043_vXBRa" title="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 ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-159/339267043_vXBRa-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="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 ..." title="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 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:14Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-159/339267043_vXBRa-Th.jpg2008-07-04 13:48:30detail of the root area. Note how the soil has eroded from around the base of the tree.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />detail of the root area. Note how the soil has eroded from around the base of the tree.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#342608208_oUaBM" title="detail of the root area. Note how the soil has eroded from around the base of the tree."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-160/342608208_oUaBM-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="detail of the root area. Note how the soil has eroded from around the base of the tree." title="detail of the root area. Note how the soil has eroded from around the base of the tree." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:14Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-160/342608208_oUaBM-Th.jpgTwisted trunk Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
Sun and wind have caused the live wood to twist around the dead wood in a spiral pat ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Twisted trunk Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
Sun and wind have caused the live wood to twist around the dead wood in a spiral pat ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267113_ZeWk7" title="Twisted trunk Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
Sun and wind have caused the live wood to twist around the dead wood in a spiral pat ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-162-edited/339267113_ZeWk7-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Twisted trunk Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
Sun and wind have caused the live wood to twist around the dead wood in a spiral pat ..." title="Twisted trunk Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
Sun and wind have caused the live wood to twist around the dead wood in a spiral pat ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:15Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-162-edited/339267113_ZeWk7-Th.jpg2008-07-04 13:51:43detail of Bristlecone Pine foliage
The Bristlecone is a member of the "foxtail pine" group of trees. Whereas most pine trees have only 2-3 years worth of needles on the ends of the branch ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />detail of Bristlecone Pine foliage
The Bristlecone is a member of the "foxtail pine" group of trees. Whereas most pine trees have only 2-3 years worth of needles on the ends of the branch ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267222_bBWyg" title="detail of Bristlecone Pine foliage
The Bristlecone is a member of the "foxtail pine" group of trees. Whereas most pine trees have only 2-3 years worth of needles on the ends of the branch ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-173-edited/339267222_bBWyg-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="detail of Bristlecone Pine foliage
The Bristlecone is a member of the "foxtail pine" group of trees. Whereas most pine trees have only 2-3 years worth of needles on the ends of the branch ..." title="detail of Bristlecone Pine foliage
The Bristlecone is a member of the "foxtail pine" group of trees. Whereas most pine trees have only 2-3 years worth of needles on the ends of the branch ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:15Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-173-edited/339267222_bBWyg-Th.jpg2008-07-04 14:41:03Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
Clark's Nutcrackers (a type of jay) play an important role in propagating the bristlecones. During the summer they cach ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
Clark's Nutcrackers (a type of jay) play an important role in propagating the bristlecones. During the summer they cach ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267482_wqPoq" title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
Clark's Nutcrackers (a type of jay) play an important role in propagating the bristlecones. During the summer they cach ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-198/339267482_wqPoq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
Clark's Nutcrackers (a type of jay) play an important role in propagating the bristlecones. During the summer they cach ..." title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
Clark's Nutcrackers (a type of jay) play an important role in propagating the bristlecones. During the summer they cach ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:15Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-198/339267482_wqPoq-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:38:17Detail of multiple trunk tree<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Detail of multiple trunk tree</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267527_RhaWk" title="Detail of multiple trunk tree"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-199/339267527_RhaWk-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Detail of multiple trunk tree" title="Detail of multiple trunk tree" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:15Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-199/339267527_RhaWk-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:38:29Patriarch tree; Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The Patriarch Tree is the largest Bristlecone known. It has several trunks and is about 20 feet long and 38 feet around. ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Patriarch tree; Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The Patriarch Tree is the largest Bristlecone known. It has several trunks and is about 20 feet long and 38 feet around. ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267328_ivmoV" title="Patriarch tree; Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The Patriarch Tree is the largest Bristlecone known. It has several trunks and is about 20 feet long and 38 feet around. ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-185/339267328_ivmoV-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Patriarch tree; Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The Patriarch Tree is the largest Bristlecone known. It has several trunks and is about 20 feet long and 38 feet around. ..." title="Patriarch tree; Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The Patriarch Tree is the largest Bristlecone known. It has several trunks and is about 20 feet long and 38 feet around. ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-185/339267328_ivmoV-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:10:3937.52738335070000-118.197913170000003444closeup of the Patriarch tree's multiple trunks<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />closeup of the Patriarch tree's multiple trunks</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267391_Go5iP" title="closeup of the Patriarch tree's multiple trunks"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-186-edited/339267391_Go5iP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="closeup of the Patriarch tree's multiple trunks" title="closeup of the Patriarch tree's multiple trunks" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-186-edited/339267391_Go5iP-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:11:00Viewing the Patriarch
At an altitude of 11,300 feet (3444 m) a stump to sit on is welcome.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Viewing the Patriarch
At an altitude of 11,300 feet (3444 m) a stump to sit on is welcome.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267275_Hf53B" title="Viewing the Patriarch
At an altitude of 11,300 feet (3444 m) a stump to sit on is welcome."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-184-edited/339267275_Hf53B-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Viewing the Patriarch
At an altitude of 11,300 feet (3444 m) a stump to sit on is welcome." title="Viewing the Patriarch
At an altitude of 11,300 feet (3444 m) a stump to sit on is welcome." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-184-edited/339267275_Hf53B-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:09:10Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The lack of undergrowth, due to the poor soil conditions, gives the bristlecones protection from fire. Individual tree ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The lack of undergrowth, due to the poor soil conditions, gives the bristlecones protection from fire. Individual tree ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267436_K6sNE" title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The lack of undergrowth, due to the poor soil conditions, gives the bristlecones protection from fire. Individual tree ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-187/339267436_K6sNE-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The lack of undergrowth, due to the poor soil conditions, gives the bristlecones protection from fire. Individual tree ..." title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The lack of undergrowth, due to the poor soil conditions, gives the bristlecones protection from fire. Individual tree ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-187/339267436_K6sNE-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:11:38Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The live and dead veins paint a beautiful pattern in this trunk<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The live and dead veins paint a beautiful pattern in this trunk</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267574_Rzoyq" title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The live and dead veins paint a beautiful pattern in this trunk"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-203/339267574_Rzoyq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The live and dead veins paint a beautiful pattern in this trunk" title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The live and dead veins paint a beautiful pattern in this trunk" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-203/339267574_Rzoyq-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:52:22Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
A small flowering plant grows near this bristlecone, like an accent plant enhancing a bonsai.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
A small flowering plant grows near this bristlecone, like an accent plant enhancing a bonsai.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267607_erk5C" title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
A small flowering plant grows near this bristlecone, like an accent plant enhancing a bonsai."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-207-edited/339267607_erk5C-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
A small flowering plant grows near this bristlecone, like an accent plant enhancing a bonsai." title="Bristlecone Pine: Patriarch Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
A small flowering plant grows near this bristlecone, like an accent plant enhancing a bonsai." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-207-edited/339267607_erk5C-Th.jpg2008-07-04 16:04:55Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow proudly upright in a place where most plants hug the ground to escape the wind an ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow proudly upright in a place where most plants hug the ground to escape the wind an ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266475_rjPxe" title="Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow proudly upright in a place where most plants hug the ground to escape the wind an ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-078-edited/339266475_rjPxe-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow proudly upright in a place where most plants hug the ground to escape the wind an ..." title="Bristlecone Pine; White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow proudly upright in a place where most plants hug the ground to escape the wind an ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-078-edited/339266475_rjPxe-Th.jpg2008-07-04 09:54:57Ancient Bristlecone Forest; White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecone pines are able to tolerate the highly alkaline dolomite limestone that gives the White Mountain ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Ancient Bristlecone Forest; White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecone pines are able to tolerate the highly alkaline dolomite limestone that gives the White Mountain ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267156_SRtHo" title="Ancient Bristlecone Forest; White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecone pines are able to tolerate the highly alkaline dolomite limestone that gives the White Mountain ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-167-edited/339267156_SRtHo-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Ancient Bristlecone Forest; White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecone pines are able to tolerate the highly alkaline dolomite limestone that gives the White Mountain ..." title="Ancient Bristlecone Forest; White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecone pines are able to tolerate the highly alkaline dolomite limestone that gives the White Mountain ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-09-17T13:27:20Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-167-edited/339267156_SRtHo-Th.jpg2008-07-04 14:17:26Dead bristlecone Pines; about 12,000 feet, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
These trees died thousands of years ago. When the climate was warmer, the trees grew higher o ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Dead bristlecone Pines; about 12,000 feet, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
These trees died thousands of years ago. When the climate was warmer, the trees grew higher o ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339267644_F7Qih" title="Dead bristlecone Pines; about 12,000 feet, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
These trees died thousands of years ago. When the climate was warmer, the trees grew higher o ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-212/339267644_F7Qih-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Dead bristlecone Pines; about 12,000 feet, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
These trees died thousands of years ago. When the climate was warmer, the trees grew higher o ..." title="Dead bristlecone Pines; about 12,000 feet, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, California
These trees died thousands of years ago. When the climate was warmer, the trees grew higher o ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-212/339267644_F7Qih-Th.jpg2008-07-04 16:21:58close up of a dead Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow very slowly, adding about 1 inch in diameter every 100 years. ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />close up of a dead Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow very slowly, adding about 1 inch in diameter every 100 years. ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339266659_QMYAu" title="close up of a dead Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow very slowly, adding about 1 inch in diameter every 100 years. ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-112-edited/339266659_QMYAu-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="close up of a dead Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow very slowly, adding about 1 inch in diameter every 100 years. ..." title="close up of a dead Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains, Schulman Grove, Inyo National Forest, California
The bristlecones grow very slowly, adding about 1 inch in diameter every 100 years. ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-112-edited/339266659_QMYAu-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:24:59White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
You can clearly see the limestone dolomite outcrops - the sagebrush stops and the bristlecone pines take over.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
You can clearly see the limestone dolomite outcrops - the sagebrush stops and the bristlecone pines take over.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339322242_cKznu" title="White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
You can clearly see the limestone dolomite outcrops - the sagebrush stops and the bristlecone pines take over."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-226/339322242_cKznu-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
You can clearly see the limestone dolomite outcrops - the sagebrush stops and the bristlecone pines take over." title="White Mountain Road, Inyo National Forest, California
You can clearly see the limestone dolomite outcrops - the sagebrush stops and the bristlecone pines take over." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-226/339322242_cKznu-Th.jpg2008-07-04 16:37:16View of the Palisade glaciers in the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />View of the Palisade glaciers in the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339322152_H2Aae" title="View of the Palisade glaciers in the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-074/339322152_H2Aae-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="View of the Palisade glaciers in the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains." title="View of the Palisade glaciers in the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-074/339322152_H2Aae-Th.jpg2008-07-04 09:51:40view of the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />view of the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339322211_i9B9Q" title="view of the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-225/339322211_i9B9Q-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="view of the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains, California" title="view of the eastern Sierra Nevada from the White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-225/339322211_i9B9Q-Th.jpg2008-07-04 16:29:23The eastern Sierra Nevada as seen from about 10,000 feet up in the White Mountains. The Owens Valley is visible below.<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />The eastern Sierra Nevada as seen from about 10,000 feet up in the White Mountains. The Owens Valley is visible below.</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339322260_kSqf6" title="The eastern Sierra Nevada as seen from about 10,000 feet up in the White Mountains. The Owens Valley is visible below."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-245/339322260_kSqf6-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="The eastern Sierra Nevada as seen from about 10,000 feet up in the White Mountains. The Owens Valley is visible below." title="The eastern Sierra Nevada as seen from about 10,000 feet up in the White Mountains. The Owens Valley is visible below." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-245/339322260_kSqf6-Th.jpg2008-07-04 17:22:14A closeup view from the White Mountains of the Palisade glaciers in the Sierra Nevada<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />A closeup view from the White Mountains of the Palisade glaciers in the Sierra Nevada</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339322285_9Qf3i" title="A closeup view from the White Mountains of the Palisade glaciers in the Sierra Nevada"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-247/339322285_9Qf3i-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="A closeup view from the White Mountains of the Palisade glaciers in the Sierra Nevada" title="A closeup view from the White Mountains of the Palisade glaciers in the Sierra Nevada" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-247/339322285_9Qf3i-Th.jpg2008-07-04 17:22:55Cactus flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Cactus flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321442_asATL" title="Cactus flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-066/339321442_asATL-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Cactus flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="Cactus flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-066/339321442_asATL-Th.jpg2008-07-04 09:27:16Mallow flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Mallow flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321462_mPZYT" title="Mallow flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-071/339321462_mPZYT-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Mallow flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="Mallow flower; 10,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-071/339321462_mPZYT-Th.jpg2008-07-04 09:39:39An alpine garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />An alpine garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321678_ADp3S" title="An alpine garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-180/339321678_ADp3S-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="An alpine garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="An alpine garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-180/339321678_ADp3S-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:05:46Phlox growing in the rocks; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Phlox growing in the rocks; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321554_c26Yo" title="Phlox growing in the rocks; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-129/339321554_c26Yo-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Phlox growing in the rocks; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="Phlox growing in the rocks; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-129/339321554_c26Yo-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:53:16Alpine sunflower; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California
This flower is also known as "old man of the mountains". It lives for an unknown number of years before finally flowering. Aft ...<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Alpine sunflower; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California
This flower is also known as "old man of the mountains". It lives for an unknown number of years before finally flowering. Aft ...</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321597_waqMX" title="Alpine sunflower; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California
This flower is also known as "old man of the mountains". It lives for an unknown number of years before finally flowering. Aft ..."><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-170/339321597_waqMX-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Alpine sunflower; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California
This flower is also known as "old man of the mountains". It lives for an unknown number of years before finally flowering. Aft ..." title="Alpine sunflower; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California
This flower is also known as "old man of the mountains". It lives for an unknown number of years before finally flowering. Aft ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-170/339321597_waqMX-Th.jpg2008-07-04 14:36:33Mountain garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Mountain garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321759_jg5Fx" title="Mountain garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-194/339321759_jg5Fx-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Mountain garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="Mountain garden; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-194/339321759_jg5Fx-Th.jpg2008-07-04 15:22:28Indian paintbrush; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California<p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com">jtroth</a><br />Indian paintbrush; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California</p><p><a href="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/5539489_saRS4#339321504_uHAyi" title="Indian paintbrush; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California"><img src="http://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-100/339321504_uHAyi-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Indian paintbrush; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" title="Indian paintbrush; 11,000 feet, White Mountains, California" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2008-07-31T04:23:18Zjtrothhttp://jtroth.smugmug.comhttp://jtroth.smugmug.com/Nature/The-Oldest-Trees/2008-07-04-100/339321504_uHAyi-Th.jpg2008-07-04 11:14:59