Posted in Nevada Nature August 16, 2017 by Natalie Faulk

Visit The World’s Oldest Tree Stump At This National Park In Nevada

The Great Basin National Park is home to one of the world’s oldest living tree: the Bristlecone Pine. Back in 1960, a researcher was studying the great Prometheus tree and after getting his sampling bore caught in the trunk, proceeded to cut down the magnificent tree, subsequently dated as being the oldest living organism in the world. Today, Prometheus—the world’s oldest tree stump—sits below Nevada’s Wheeler Peak.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate

Prometheus is located in Nevada's Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada by the Utah border.

Bristlecone Pines are found in isolated groves beneath the tree line like Wheeler Peak Grove.

These magnificent trees are exceptionally hardy, able to withstand strong winds, being buried in snow, and sub-zero temperatures.

For self-preservation, these trees have been known to conserve their limited resources by allowing portions to die. Thus, Bristlecone Pines are not very tall (unlike the giant California Sequoias) and have an extremely weathered, almost dead appearance. Their slow growth also makes these impressive trees resistant to insects, erosion, fungi, and rot.

In 1960, a graduate student searching for the world's oldest trees received permission to take a sample from Prometheus. His drill bore got stuck in the tree's massive trunk, and, tragically, he cut it down to retrieve his tool.

Upon doing so, he realized his huge mistake. After counting the rings, he determined that he had felled, perhaps, the oldest tree in the world. Prometheus was dated as having lived 4,862 years - longer than any other single organism.

Prometheus' stump can still be found on Wheeler Peak: twisted, cracked, historic, and sad.

For comparison: Prometheus' stump versus an average six-foot tall man.

No older tree has ever been found; however, one known as Methuselah—in eastern California’s White Mountains—is believed to be approximately 4,850 years old. Many more magnificent Bristlecone Pines are found in several areas throughout the Great Basin, as well as in California.

Have you visited this world’s oldest tree stump? Please share your experiences below.