Ancient Trees and Their Longevity

Where was the oldest known individual tree, a Great Northern Bristlecone Pine, discovered?

• Fishlake National Forest, Utah

• White Mountains, California

• The Amazon Rainforest

• The Rocky Mountains

Which of these is NOT a reason why Bristlecone Pines are able to live for thousands of years?

• They grow in a high, cold, arid climate.

• They grow on alkaline soil with few nutrients.

• They grow very quickly, allowing them to outcompete other trees.

• They have a high proportion of dead to live wood, reducing water loss.

How do researchers determine the precise age of ancient Bristlecone Pines?

• By measuring their height and diameter.

• By analyzing the soil composition around their roots.

• By using a process called cross-dating, matching tree ring patterns.

• By carbon-dating the oldest leaves.

What makes Pando, the Quaking Aspen colony, unique as a living organism?

• It is the tallest tree in the world.

• It is a single root system with genetically identical stems, making it the heaviest known living organism.

• It reproduces only through seeds.

• Its individual trees are over 10,000 years old.