Methuselah Tree, The World's Oldest Tree, Is 4,855 Years Old — And Still Alive in The White Mountains of California

Humans may desire immortality, but it is trees that are garnering more success in this pursuit. One of them is now nearly five centuries old, having witnessed all the ups and downs of multiple civilizations that have graced the world. This tree is a Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) in the White Mountains of eastern California, according to The Hill. It has been labeled the "Methuselah Tree" by people. Experts think that it sprouted around 2,830 BCE, making it one of the oldest living non-clonal trees in the world. At the time of its discovery, the tree was deemed the oldest of its kind, but now other "slightly" older trees have been uncovered by experts. 

Marvelous Methuselah Tree

The 5,000-year-old tree has spread its roots in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of the Inyo National Forest. The Methuselah tree contains several twisty trunks and branches that have been impacted by centuries of environmental agents, such as sun, snow, and wind. Researchers believe that the tree is a century older than the first pyramids constructed and was already 3,000 years old when Julius Caesar took over Rome. Such insights shed light on its expansiveness and legacy. Researchers want to conduct an in-depth examination of such ancient trees to understand facets, like tree aging, climate change, and the forest ecosystem.

To figure out the age of Methuselah, experts took a thin core sample. They wanted to determine how many growth rings were present on its trunk through the sample. Past examinations have indicated that almost all trees add an annual ring to their trunk. Hence, the markings have become a great methodology for experts to work out any tree's age. Using core samples for this purpose provides researchers with a non-invasive alternative to determine the number of rings.

Mystery of the Methuselah Tree

Researchers determined the age of Methuselah to be around 4,800 to 5,000 years old, according to Discover Wildlife. Researchers are not completely sure of this result, as dating ancient trees accurately is a challenging procedure. The tree was named after biblical patriarch Methuselah, who supposedly lived for over 900 years. Along with Methuselah, several other ancient bristlecone pine trees are present in the site. Authorities have taken a conscious decision not to publicize the exact location and certain other ancient trees in the forest, to save them from exploitation. They believe that such promotion could invite vandalism and over-visitation, which can hamper the longevity of these stunning creatures.

Despite the secrecy around Methuselah, researchers have managed to garner some crucial insights regarding the creature, according to Conservation. Pinus longaeva's capability to draw nutrition from brittle layers of carbonate rock and limestone allows it to thrive in extreme conditions, like harsh winds, dry soil, and freezing temperatures. The twisted nature of the trees' branches ensures that they remain comparatively more rigid in the face of fast-moving currents. Another noteworthy aspect of the species is that the root provides nourishment to only a specific part of the tree. Therefore, if the root even dies of exposure, then only that specific part will be hampered, while the rest will continue to grow. 

Is it the Oldest?

In 2022, Chilean environmental scientist Jonathan Barichivich claimed that a Patagonian cypress growing in the Alecre Costero National Park is  4,853 years old. It is around 500 years older than Methuselah. Many researchers have doubts about this assertion because Barichvich used statistical modeling techniques for his examinations, which are not typically used as dating methodologies worldwide. Researchers have also supposedly found even older bristlecone pines in the world that surpass 5,000 years in age. One thing is for sure, these 'trees' have a long time for humans to figure out who is the oldest of their lot.