Broken stone is the only ground, a cold wind howls through and around the trees, the day is dry and clear on the mountain slope, there are ice crystals in the rock crevices and snow lingers in the shadows … it’s the height of summer in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California.

Bristlecone Pine trees are officially the most ancient trees on the earth. Methuselah, a living Bristlecone Pine, had his 4,789th birthday in 2001. For his protection, Methuselah’s exact location is a closely guarded secret. Prometheus was older, having passed his 4,844th birthday, when the U.S. Forest Service gave permission for him to be cut down in 1964. There are rumors that another Bristlecone has been discovered that is older than Methuselah, but that has not been verified. Even after they die the trees stand for hundreds of years as their roots slowly decay finally allowing the tree to fall to the earth.
 
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California wanders around at and just below the tree line, with the oldest trees living at more than 11,000 feet above sea level. The area is cold, dry, windy, and the growing season is extremely short. Dense, high-resin wood protects the trees from disease, pests and fungi. They grow very slowly, averaging 100 years to add a single inch to their diameter. Trees on the lower, moister slopes tend to grow faster and taller (the tallest is about 60 feet) but they don’t live as long. Up in the most inhospitable conditions, the trees are twisted and gnarled, short of stature but long of life.

This painting is 8 inches by 10 1/2 inches. It is ink and acrylic on 140# watercolor paper. It was painted in 2007. It is attractively framed in a simple wooden frame.

Bristlecone Pine #03 is available for your purchase for the price of $150. That price includes shipping and handling in continental United States. Other locations please contact Valry for shipping costs.