At elevations of more than 10,000 feet, in the remote White-Inyo Mountains of eastern California, one finds very few living things. The climate is brutal and constantly changing. It is difficult to move about as millions of tons of dolomitic bedrock, broken into jagged pieces, are constantly underfoot. Visitors are peppered by airborne clouds of sand and ice, driven by relentless winds exceeding 60 mph. There is no water. No food. It is among the most rugged, inhospitable places on earth.
Enduring all the hardships presented by their environment are the world's oldest inhabitants - Bristlecone Pine trees (Pinus Longaeva).
In their remote home, these trees largely escaped notice until 1953 when Dr. Edmund Schulman of the University of Arizona undertook to study and date them. Schulman - and the scientific community generally - were shocked to learn that one tree, called the Pine Alpha was more than 4,000 years old. Later, in 1957, Schulman dated another tree, aptly named Methuselah, at 4,723 years old! It was, and is, the oldest living organism on our planet.
In 1958, National Geographic brought Sculman's discovery to the attention of the world. Sadly, he suffered a heart attack and died that same year at the age of 49.
Today,a special area within the 28,000 acre Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest bears the name Schulman Grove. The Methuselah Tree is located within the grove, but its identity is not disclosed by the U.S. Forest Service.
If you have seen these great trees, share your experience with us!
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