Oldest living tree

Bristlecone pine

Latin name: Pinus longaeva
Superpowers: As old as the pyramids!
Where from: California, USA

Bristlecone pines live a seriously long time: the oldest one found so far is estimated to be 4767 -years-old. This means that it was a sapling when the Egyptians were building the pyramids, 400-years-old when they built Stonehenge and it was about 2758-years-old when Christ was born.

Bristlecone pines grow very slowly because they live in a cold, dry, windy places and because they grow slowly their wood is very hard and full of resin. This means that it is difficult for insects and fungi to attack and damage the tree, which helps it live longer. The oldest living tree is sometimes called ‘Methuselah’ after the longest-lived person in the Bible.