Bristlecone Pine

Bristlecone Pines are among the oldest living organisms on earth. The tree is also noteworthy because the needles stay on the limb for over 40 years, unlike most other pines, which shed their needles every few years. This is important, because the tree can go through periods when it does not grow at all. At such high elevations (8,000-11,000 ft), there are years when the environment does not thaw, thus preventing the tree from putting on a new year's growth. By keeping its' needles longer, the tree doesn't lose all of its' foliage without having the opportunity to grow new needles. It also means that a tree with 900 obvious rings may be significantly older. Near immortality is also insured by highly resinous wood that helps prevent the trees from desiccating in the hot, dry temperatures. This resin also helps shield the bristlecones from insects and harmful bacteria that prey upon many other, more fragile trees.