Bristlecone Pine

Schulman Grove-Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California

Twisted and gnarled trunk appendages intertwine with thick branches forming what gives a quick impression of being several trees, but look again and you can see it is one tree. It is an ancient bristlecone pine in good health and ready to thrive through the next millenia. How do they live this long? Research is ongoing on this question. Photo © copyright by Frank LeBlanc.