One of the odd facts about Bristlecones is that the oldest trees only grow where the coldest, windiest, rockiest and harshest conditions above 9,000 feet are encountered. If the environment isn't harsh enough they only live to be about 1,000 years old. Scientists that study the trees have discovered that this is because the trees that grow in the harshest conditions grow more slowly and their wood becomes very dense and hard which allows them to survive whatever nature throws at them. That is why when you see a very old Bristlecone the tree is very twisted and gnarled, and parts of the trunk are already dead. Even when a Bristlecone does die, its dead wood resists decay for hundreds and even thousands of years before it rots away.

Scientists like to study Bristlecones because they can learn a lot about weather conditions while the tree was alive by studying their growth rings. When there is not much rain or snow the tree doesn't grow much and the ring for that year is very narrow, but in a year when there is more water available the rings are wider. By noting the size of the rings scientists can learn about weather for thousands of years back in time.

Bristlecone Pine - yes, this is a live tree. A few branches with green wood still survive.

Bristlecone Pine - note the dead wood on the trunk

 Bristlecones - note the dense needles that can live for up to 35 years themselves.

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