Bristlecone Pines. The ancient forest. These majestic trees can live to be 5000 years old, and only grow at the highest elevations just below tree line. This particular group is from the Spring Mountains, near Las Vegas, Nevada, at an elevation just over 10,000 feet. Many of these can be twisted with stunted growth, usually on an exposed ridge where the dominant winds have a long term effect upon them. The overall straightness and height of this group made me stop for a photo.
This is my contribution to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness this week. You can see the work of other’s on her site, as well as instructions on joining the challenge.
September 8, 2016 at 6:40 am
5000 years! That is a period of time I cannot imagine for a living creature. They could remember ancient Romans (if they grew in Europe).
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September 8, 2016 at 6:43 pm
At that altitude, there is a very short growing season, and little competition from other plants for nutrients in the soil. If it looks like they’re growing out of rock, that’s because they are. And a lot of human history has passed during the lives of these trees!
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September 8, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Ancient treasures.
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September 11, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Yes, they truly are. 🙂
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