08-02-2022, 20:25
I told my brother about this song not knowing that bristlecone pines have a special meaning for him – he says they were instrumental in his enlightenment as a scientist. Anyway, he also told me this story - that some time back, a young dendrochronologist had gone to the reserve where these rare trees grow, to take samples with his borer and read the rings of these ancient organisms. The borer got stuck in one tree and he couldn’t get it out, so the tale goes, and whether for that reason, or another (it’s a little unclear and a lot controversial!), he cut that tree down. The felled tree turned out to be close to 5,000 years old! He must have been mortified beyond belief! It was older than Methuselah, the oldest documented bristlecone pine at the time which was known to be 4,700 and something. His name has gone down in infamy for sure! The fallen one was named Prometheus and one can view slices of it, apparently.
Later, an even older tree was found – over 5,000 years, and there are possibly more – just think - they'd have been saplings at the time the pyramids were built – it’s astonishing. Their location is kept secret and I’m delighted to know that. At least there won’t be someone carving out their initials in the ages old bark. And someone would do just that – guaranteed.
Later, an even older tree was found – over 5,000 years, and there are possibly more – just think - they'd have been saplings at the time the pyramids were built – it’s astonishing. Their location is kept secret and I’m delighted to know that. At least there won’t be someone carving out their initials in the ages old bark. And someone would do just that – guaranteed.
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson