Saturday, November 1, 2008

Day 134: Bristlecone Pine


from wikipedia

The Bristlecone Pine is Nevada's state tree. The Bristlecones are a small group of pine trees that are thought to reach an age far greater than that of any other single living organism known, up to nearly 5,000 years.

"These ancient trees grow slowly, one branch at a time. Even their needles can live up to 40 years. Often, a tree will appear nearly dead, with only a thin strip of living tissue clinging to a gnarled, naked trunk. Ordinary trees would decay under those conditions, but slow growing bristlecone wood has a high resin content, preventing rot. Instead, the wood actually erodes, like stone, from wind and ice crystals."
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