It is no wonder that bristlecone pine is believed to be the world’s oldest living organism. Their decay-resistant wood and presence on the edges of high, steep, windswept slopes, with little understory, have left them relatively free from fire disturbance. Some trees are estimated to be over 5,000 years old! Public interest and increased recreation among these twisted, beautiful giants, is today much more of a threat than fire. And, although they are long-lived and are able to tolerate unfavorable climate changes, their low reproduction rate and invasion by mixed-conifer, have decreased their numbers. No bristlecones were damaged during the Sanford burn.

High on rocky, windswept slopes, bristlecones have adapted in the absence of fire.