Bristlecone Pine
ExploreTrees
Bristlecone Pine
Pinus longaeva
Bristlecone pines are ancient trees that can live for thousands of years. They have twisted trunks and grow in high mountain regions, standing tall and strong against harsh winds and cold weather.
Habitat: Mountain regions
Appearance
The Bristlecone Pine has extremely gnarled and twisted branches, with reddish-brown bark that often appears deeply furrowed. Its short, dark green needles grow in bundles of five, and its distinctive purplish cones feature small, stiff bristles.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPinopsidaOrderPinalesFamilyPinaceaeGenusPinus
Category
TreesRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
2
Interesting facts
Its scientific name, *Pinus longaeva*, literally means "long-lived pine," celebrating its extreme age.
Many Bristlecone Pines grow so slowly, they add less than an inch of height in a whole decade!
Often, these ancient trees have more dead wood than living wood, yet they stay alive for millennia!
One Bristlecone Pine, named Methuselah, lived for over 4,800 years, making it older than the pyramids!
Special abilities
Ability
Time Traveler Wood
Bristlecone Pine has incredibly dense, resinous wood that resists rot and insects, helping it live for thousands of years.
Ability
Branch Dropper
Bristlecone Pine can self-prune, shedding entire branches to conserve energy and survive in harsh mountain conditions.
Ability
Mountain Master
Bristlecone Pine can thrive in freezing winds and rocky, dry soil at high altitudes where few other trees can survive.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-18 m
- Canopy Spread
- 2-8 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-360 cm
- Lifespan
- 1500-5070 years
- Fruit Type
- Cones
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
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Traits
Coniferous
Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Mountain
This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Ancient PineMethuselah Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy these trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Bristlecone Pine?
The easiest way to identify Bristlecone Pine is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Bristlecone Pine?
5-18 m
How wide does Bristlecone Pine spread?
2-8 m
Is Bristlecone Pine edible?
No
How big is Bristlecone Pine?
50-360 cm
How long does Bristlecone Pine live?
1500-5070 years
Where is Bristlecone Pine usually found?
Mountain regions
What kind of fruit does Bristlecone Pine produce?
Cones
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park18 sightings12 species
Nevada, US
Johnson Lake Mine Historic District
You might spot Great Basin Bristlecone Pine and Holmgren's Buckwheat.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Utah, US
Old National Park Service Housing Historic District
You might spot Common Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel and Steller's Jay.
View guide →
Park11 sightings3 species
Utah, US
Cedar Breaks National Monument
You might spot Great Basin Bristlecone Pine and Blue Columbine.
View guide →
