Pine of Methuselah: age, location, interesting facts

According to popular belief, trees are the only organisms capable of longevity. A thousand years is not the limit of their existence, especially if a person does not interfere with the natural course of events, along with their inventions. However, the oldest representative of this tribe is the pine Methuselah, which has become known throughout the globe and is included in every respectful reference book.

Mysterious tree

The pine of Methuselah (photo above) is the representative of the genus of long-living pines. For existence, it needs quite severe conditions: constant and sharp winds, almost complete absence of precipitation and fairly rarefied air. As a result, such trees have only lived a few states in the west of the United States, which are considered almost the most arid.

Judging by the research of American scientists, the pine of Methuselah will soon "celebrate" 4850 years. It is named after the oldest biblical character. Although his pathetic 969 years do not go to any comparison with the age of "namesake."

Longevity residence

Approximate coordinates of the growth of a miracle tree can become known to anyone who deigns to ask them. It is common knowledge that the pine of Methuselah has chosen the territory of the California National Park. She grew up on one of the slopes of Mount White Mountain (in the English version of White Mountain). There is even a sign that notices that it was these places that gave rise to the mighty tree. Do not hide the staff of the national park and the height of the growth of the giant. However, the figure of three thousand meters above sea level, although it strikes the imagination, but does not tell you exactly where the pine of Methuselah hides (if you can say so about a rather large tree). And precise instructions on its location are almost impossible to obtain: the secrecy is so high, as if touching American public interests. You can only get a detailed route to the entrance to the park: on the highways number 14 and 395, north of Los Angeles, a few short of Bishop.

Why the pine is hidden: sad stories

Mysteriousness did not appear on an equal footing: the state wants the pine of Methuselah to grow on its territory. Where the tree is in exactitude, no one is told for two reasons:

1. In 1953, when a scientist named Edmond Shulman, who discovered a pine tree, published a sensational message, a real pilgrimage began in the mountains. And every tourist wanted not only to look at the old-timers tree, but also to cut off a piece "for memory". As a result, the pine Methusel almost died, and the government decided to keep her "residence permit" secret.
2. It was confirmed in the correctness of the decision taken after the indescribable incident that occurred in 1964. Shortly before that, another thousand-year-old pine, named Prometheus and lived at that time, 4861, was discovered. A meticulous student named Donald Curry got permission from the US Forest Service to cut it - just to count the annual rings.

It is not surprising that the keepers of forests so zealously protect their secrets.

Pine of Methuselah: interesting facts

Scientists protest when a tree is called "the oldest living organism". Glacial bacteria, for example, are much older than Methuselah. However, among the more highly organized creatures, he is without a doubt a champion. The competitor in this area - the Tasmanian bush - has been rooting for more than forty millennia, but it raises doubts about what is the same plant that existed in immemorial times, and is not yet another descendant.

In Moscow, there is a rock band called Mooncake. In due time children have written down an album and have named it Lagrange Points. Among other songs it includes the song Short Stories of Methuselah Tree, that is, "Stories of the Tree of Methuselah".

Swedish scientist Leif Kullman found in the province of his homeland Dalarna spruce, which turned 9550 years old. However, the world community refused to recognize her victory over Methuselah, since she is only a vegetative heir to an ancestor who has already died.

They say that somewhere in the world a tree hides, more ancient than the pine of Methuselah. However, careful researchers are secretive not only about its location; They hide even what kind of family it belongs to. And all because the behavior of people against Prometheus and Methuselah very alarmed them.