The ancient bristlecone pine forests high in the White Mountains on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California grow at altitudes between 3,000 and 3,400 m (9,800 and 11,000 ft) under arid, high-alpine conditions. They are home to the oldest living trees in the world. Some of these trees are more than 4,000 years old, and the oldest is estimated to be 5,068 years old. Their spectacular growth forms and beautifully bright orange-yellow, twisted bark and wood can be admired at Schulman Grove and Patriarch Grove. The bristlecone pines are scientifically known as Pinus longaeva and can grow up to 15 m (49 ft) tall.
A nighttime bristlecone pine forest is one of the most bizarre places on our planet. Although these solitary, gnarled trees may appear dead, they retain a few living branches and seem to enjoy their nightly view into deep space.
