Methuselah is the oldest tree in the world
October 3, 20242 Mins Read

International desk: The name of the oldest living tree in the world is Methuselah. The bristlecone pine species is native to the White Mountain region of California. This tree is about 4,800 years old. Name and History of Methuselah The name Methuselah comes from the Bible.

Methuselah

According to the Bible, a man named Methuselah lived for 969 years. This tree is named after the long-lived man. In 1957, scientist Edmund Shulman discovered the tree and determined its age.

The Methuselah Tree is in a secret location in California's Inyo National Forest.

Its exact location is kept secret from the general public. The reason is very natural. Tourists can flock to see such ancient trees. That tree itself can affect the biodiversity of that area.

Bristlecone pine trees are very durable. They grow in very dry and infertile soils. It is usually difficult for other plants to survive in such hostile environment. In such a hostile environment, receiving very little water and nutrients, plants grow very slowly, so their cell decay process is also very slow. As a result, they live for a long time.

In addition, its wood is very strong, which has protected it for many years.

Scientists determine the age of trees using a method called dendrochronology. In this method, the age is determined by counting the rings of the tree trunk. Each ring marks a year's growth on the tree, so counting the rings tells you the age of the tree.

Besides Methuselah, there are other ancient trees in the world. For example, there was another bristlecone pine tree named Prometheus, which was about 4,900 years old. But in 1964 it was cut by mistake.

The Methuselah tree is the oldest living tree in the world. which has survived for thousands of years. It is an invaluable part of our natural history and helps us learn about Earth's ancient environment.

Source: Britannica