Methuselah (Bristlecone Pine)

The oldest known living non-clonal tree on Earth/Biology & Ecosystems

Methuselah is a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) growing in the White Mountains of eastern California. At approximately 4,856 years old, it germinated around 2832 BCE, making it the oldest known living non-clonal organism. The tree stands about 15 meters tall in a harsh, windswept environment at 3,000 meters elevation. Its exact location is kept secret by the U.S. Forest Service to protect it from vandalism. The wood is so dense and resinous that it resists rot and insect damage.