KitchenDiscoWitch 🪩Jan 4, 2023
The Duality of Xan

The world's oldest tree is a Great Basin bristlecone pine, growing in the Inyo National Forest in California. It is 4854 years old.

This tree germinated while the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt was flourishing, and predates most of written human history. It's older than the Olmec civilisation, older than the first Chinese writing, older than Stonehenge. By the time Sappho was writing her poems, it was already ancient.

#ThickTrunkTuesday

Jan 3, 2023 at 10:20pmWeb
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 3, 2023
Sometime I need to go to California to do an ancient trees tour. Between the Ancient Bristlecone Forest and the Redwood National and State Parks, there are so many things there I need to see.
Show threadJMackJan 3, 2023
@XanIndigo go in late Spring/early Summer. Used to be best season was in Fall, but fire season and hot weather have increased.
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 3, 2023
@jgphotomom Yeah, the steadily increasing forest fires are a definite concern. Part of why I want to try and see these things before... well, you know
Show threadChuck WackJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo @jgphotomom I heard it has something to do with not raking leaves. That's probably why I've never had a fire in my backyard 😂🤔🙄
Show threadSinnistergrinJan 4, 2023
@cewack @XanIndigo @jgphotomom I understood this reference, unfortunately 🤣.
Show threadChuck WackJan 4, 2023
@Sinnistergrin @XanIndigo @jgphotomom 😂
Show threadKat FollandJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Very worth it. And if you feel like branching out (pun noted), California has a ton of different ecosystems. If you like it, we probably have it. :)
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 4, 2023
@thejustkat So I've heard. California is also home to the cobra lily, a particularly difficult carnivorous plant to grow at home – and something I'd very much like to see in the wild.
Show threadSinnistergrinJan 4, 2023
@thejustkat @XanIndigo #CaliforniaWinter #CaliforniaForever
Show threadWhiteLadySpeaksSpanishJan 5, 2023
@XanIndigo go north 395. .
Bishop- bristlecone pines, Monmoth lakes and devil post pile, then back side of Yosemite, north to mono lake and Tuffas and arsenic based life. Over the Sierra Lake Tahoe then 88 to big tree state parks ( sequoias). Except for Yosemite you pretty much have all these natural workers to yourself.
Show threadUnprecedented 2023Jan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Hm. I wish they could tell tales.
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 4, 2023
@Mallulady Me too, honestly!
Show threadautumn starJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo she is gorgeous
Show threadRichardJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Don't tell Bezos. He'll want it turned into a coffee table for his yacht.
Show threadJeterix2535Jan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Great Basin National Park has some beautiful Bristlecone as well. Crowds tend to be low and the park is beautiful
Show threadacmJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo That trunk is *amazing* -- so expressive! I can't see the living part, but I'll take your word for it! :)
Show threadLightning DuckJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Doesn't look a day over 3,000 years old
Show threadLudibriumventisJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo I just want to hug it!
Show threadニルス・スキニールJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo
Some billionaire will buy it and use it to make charcoal to braise one and only on side of his tuna....
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 4, 2023
@Skirnir Do you have to do this?
Show threadAvi (אבי)  🪬Jan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo california moment
Show threadquixoteJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo I've seen that tree! It does have live branches but they're mostly on the protected side and the photo is of the windward side.
Show threadBushbarkJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Do you know this song? One of my favourites. Incredible tree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADbh3OhmMvc
Rumer - Bristlecone Pine (Official Audio)

YouTube
Show threadSimon Blixt HaggrenJan 4, 2023

@XanIndigo I know it's slightly different categories, and I don't want to remove the glory of this wonderful tree. But Old Tjikko in Sweden is 9550 years old 😁 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tjikko

Trees are amazing!

Old Tjikko - Wikipedia

Show thread🐚 Undo Influence 🐚Jan 4, 2023

@Udrian @XanIndigo

"The trunk may only live for about 600 years..."

Oh, is THAT all...? ;)

Show threadRVCJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Fantastic share, blows my mind that we puny humans talk big and live fast while this patriarch is standing there observing all of us ants scurrying around having our little wars and trials and tribulations.. amazing :)
Show threadGerty SteinblattJan 23, 2023
@rvc @XanIndigo
Looks more like a Matriarch to me, but wotevz.
Stunning photo of a writhing mass of tree. Awe inspiring.
Show threadIntuitive CounsellorJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo simply sublime
Show threadJamieJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo I would love to see it in person.
Show threadWildKippersJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo - Others claim other tress as ‘oldest’ … - https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/07/09/330111102/5-000-years-old-ancient-yew-tree-identified-in-wales
5,000 Years Old: Ancient Yew Tree Identified In Wales

While it's not exceptionally tall, the tree has a wide canopy. And it dates back to the era of Egypt's great pyramids.<strong> </strong>

NPR
Show threadSiegfried.Jan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo This article says this is the oldest tree worldwide. It should be around 9500 years old and stands alone in the north of Sweden. So, who is right?
https://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/umwelt/article160310407/Das-ist-der-aelteste-Baum-der-Welt.html
Fast 10.000 Jahre alt: Das ist der älteste Baum der Welt

Er sieht unscheinbar aus und wirkt etwas verlassen auf der felsigen Hochebene in Schweden. Doch die Fichte "Alt Tjikko" ist der vermutlich älteste Baum der Welt und ein wahrer Überlebenskünstler.

WELT
Show threadThe Duality of XanJan 4, 2023
@realSiegfried As I said elsewhere, this is a clonal tree. The bristlecone is the oldest single tree, with the same original trunk it’s always had.
Show threadJohn TurianoJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Amazing!
Show threadLyndeeJan 4, 2023

@XanIndigo

Ah, the stories it could tell....

Show threadShipScrewUnscrewerJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo
The scientific name of the Great Basin bristlecone pine is "Pinus longaeva", which translated means something like "long eternity". I think thats very fitting 
Show threadCatmama 🐈Jan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo
Is the tree still alive? It doesn't look like it is.
Show threadNico LasaiguesJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo
I found it so interesting that I looked for information.
Apparently there was an older tree called Prometheus (WPN-114) that was over 5,000 years old, but it was cut down in 1964 for research purposes. Apparently they didn't know about the record before cutting it down 🤦
Show threadCalamusEstFortisJan 4, 2023

@XanIndigo Perhaps it's just the eccentric creative in me coming out, but...

Is it weird my first thought was I wish I could talk with it somehow?

Show threadDale SteeleJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo A much older Bristleone pine was cut down in the 1960s to age it for a research project. Can read the sad story in "The Left Hand of Eden" by William Ashworth. #oldgrowth
Show threadJW prince of CPHJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo Best hashtag ever 😂
Show threadSteven RooseJan 4, 2023
@XanIndigo @glynmoody Is it alive? 🤔
Show threadWhiteLadySpeaksSpanishJan 5, 2023
@XanIndigo go north on 395 ….Bishop- bristlecone pines, Mammoth lakes and devil post pile, then back side of Yosemite, north to mono lake and Tuffas and arsenic based life. Over the Sierra Lake Tahoe then 88 to big tree state parks ( sequoias). Except for Yosemite you pretty much have all these natural wonders to yourself.
Show threadJ. Randall ToddJan 15, 2023
@XanIndigo incredible. I’ve seen several Bristlecone Pine Ancients on Wheeler Peak in Nevada. Humbling.