Methuselah (pine tree)
| Methuselah | |
|---|---|
The Methuselah Grove | |
| Species | Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) |
| Location | Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, in the White Mountains, Inyo County, California |
| Coordinates | 37°22′46″N 118°09′42″W / 37.3794°N 118.1618°W |
| Date seeded | c. 2833 BC (age 4856–4857) |
| Custodian | United States Forest Service |
Methuselah is a 4,856-year-old Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) tree growing high in the White Mountains of Inyo County in eastern California. It is recognized as the non-clonal tree with the greatest confirmed age in the world. Its old age is a result of harsh weather and a lack of nutrients, which slow down the decaying process. The tree's name refers to the biblical patriarch Methuselah, who is said to have reached 969 years of age before his death, thus becoming synonymous with longevity or old age in many European languages including English.