The oldest known tree in the world is a bristlecone pine named “Methuselah,” located in the White Mountains of California. Estimated to be around 4,850 years old, Methuselah has stood the test of time, surviving harsh climates and changes in the environment. It was already a thousand years old when the pyramids of Egypt were built!

Bristlecone pines, like Methuselah, are incredibly resilient due to their dense wood and ability to survive in nutrient-poor soils at high altitudes. They grow slowly, but their longevity is unmatched. The exact location of Methuselah is kept secret to protect the tree from vandalism and human interference.

While Methuselah is the oldest living non-clonal tree, there are even older clonal organisms. For example, a clonal grove of quaking aspen trees known as “Pando” in Utah is estimated to be about 80,000 years old.

Methuselah remains a symbol of nature’s resilience, quietly standing as a living connection to ancient Earth.