The world's oldest trees

The twisting bristlecone pines that have taken root high atop the remote, rocky slopes of California's White Mountains are the longest-lived individual trees on the planet. Correspondent Conor Knighton looks into the secrets these trees can tell us about history, the climate, and our possible future.

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[donaldduck]

To put this in perception, this tree was already 1, 000 years old when the wooly Mammoths died.

[jasminearmstrong]

We have seen the Bristlecone Pines on the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada. They are beautiful. Like windswept, timeless Bonsai trees.

[johnellinas]

Magnificent, sculpted by the elements into works of art, standing old, dignified remnants of the ancient past

[chrisfinch]

Mother Nature would love hearing this story or anything about Planet Earth. 🌴🌲🌎💙💚

[leavesongrass]

I’d like to know how the scientists know those core samples don’t bother the trees. What does the tree do, in that arid environment, to fill in that hole and fight off other life forms that want to invade that hole?

[evanmitton]

The great basin national park in nevada has these magnificent trees also, nice story learned alot more cool facts😁

[b.snow-fotomkr]

I have been here; it's a long 2 lane road to get there but so worth the trip.

[augggie]

First time I've seen Professional Tree Huggers

[smitty]

As an arborist, this is much appreciated 🌲

[Janice-sbqw]

I recall in college the story of Donald Rusk Currey in the 1960s. Truly an epic fail in researching these ancient ones.

[marknc]

02:38 The tree section is in the shape of Australia.

[mililaniman]

All trees are beautiful to look at. I would like to learn how to find out the age of trees.

[milt]

And as the bird flies about 50 miles west of there are the largest trees in the world in the Sequoia National Forest.

[thelonelyghosts]

This makes me want to go listen to Enya’s album, “The Memory of Trees.”

[wdzeucc]

Interviewer looks like Johan Mayer and the tree guy looks like Steve carrel!

[RoccosVideos]

Methuselah was the oldest person according to the Bible so that’s a good name for the oldest tree.

[ybmagpye]

What causes the demarcations, i.e., the lines, between yearly rings? I mean, the tree doesn't mark a calendar for 1 year, then draw a line, so what exactly causes the annual 'end of year' lines?

[maxlinder]

Have they been all over the world to know if these are the oldest.????

[gg-nixe]

Is there really no one else with 500+ years? What are you guys doing?

[Davett]

In 2005, I had this peculiar dream, that I had an ancient tree on my property. In the dream I wanted to cut down the tree, as a means of protecting my house, from a possible wind storm, that could knock it down.Still in the dream, I learned that it would cost $1, 000.00 to have it cut down, and I couldn't afford that. When it was known I wanted to cut it down, ....some tree historians offered to take down my tree for free, indicating my tree was designated as a "witness tree". Meaning it witnessed a hundred years of history, in Columbus, Ohio. That made it special and worth salvaging all the wood from it. Still in the dream: I sold my tree to these tree historians, for around $300.00. Later I regretted that, since it was regarded as an ancient tree. And I had learned they were worth, many thousands of dollars. When I awoke, I Googled that. Why I dreamt that, is anyone's guess. But it turned out it was something that is real. Tree historians try to save & preserve all ancient trees. Like ones that witnessed Civil War battles, ...and were standing on the grounds where historic battles were fought. They try to keep them alive for as long as is possible. Then when they are taken down, the wood is used for special commemorative items such as plaques & gavels.