Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California (USA)

The ancient forest of aspen-cone pines are a small group of conifers, one species of which is the oldest living organism on the planet. This area, located in California, is part of Inyo National Park - White Mountains.

This White Mountains mountain range is made of quartzite sandstone and granite with some dolomite rock. The climate here is cold, dry and windy and the soil is nutrient poor. Therefore the trees themselves are gnarled, with areas of dead wood and narrow strips of live bark. Here is the Methuselah tree, which is 4,700 years old and still growing.