No One Here Gets Out Alive
by Joe Schofield
Title
No One Here Gets Out Alive
Artist
Joe Schofield
Medium
Photograph
Description
Ancient bristlecone pine still reaches for the sky.
Great Basin Bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are remarkable for their great age and their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. In fact, it seems one secret to their longevity is the harsh environment in which most bristlecone pines grow.
Bristlecone pines in Great Basin National Park grow in isolated groves just below treeline. Conditions are harsh, with cold temperatures, a short growing season, and high winds. Bristlecone pines in these high-elevation environments grow very slowly, and in some years don't even add a ring of growth. This slow growth makes their wood very dense and resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and erosion. Vegetation is very sparse, limiting the role of fire. Bristlecone pine seeds are occassionally cached by birds at lower elevations. Bristlecone pines grow more rapidly in more "favorable" environments at lower elevations. They do not achieve their legendary age or fascinating twisted shapes.
While bristlecone pines are the longest-living tree, scientists debate what is truly the oldest living thing. The creosote bush that grows in the Mojave Desert may be older. The cresote achieves its age by "cloning" new bushes from its root system. Yet bristlecone pines surely deserve our respect for not only surviving harsh conditions, but thriving in harsh conditions.
Uploaded
October 6th, 2012
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Viewed 3,757 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/19/2024 at 12:41 PM
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Comments (42)
Ann Pride
Beautiful capture Joe. Congratulations on the feature in A Tree or Trees in Black and White group
Calvin Boyer
In addition to the banner, I am adding this more permanent recognition of its FEATURE on the homepage of A TREE OR TREES IN BLACK AND WHITE. I try mightily to feature only images that would be at home in a juried competition. No doubt that this image fits that bill. CONGRATULATIONS! And consider adding your image to DISCUSSIONS "Please post your featured photograph here" for greater, long-lasting visibility.
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Photographic Camera Art" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020-2021 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L
Gary F Richards
Outstanding composition, lighting, shading, color and artwork! F/L …voted in the MYSTERIOUS TREES...contest!
Lyric Lucas
Congratulations, your creative and unique art work is Featured on the homepage of the "Out Of The Ordinary 1 A Day" group! 5/7/21 l/f
Andrea Lazar
Remarkable! And wonderful information. I've planned to visit these next time I go out West, they are truly awesome!. L.
Venetia Featherstone-Witty
Very artistic shot and the story is fascinating - I really appreciate artists who do their research and add that extra dimension to their images.L/F
Mary Machare
Wonderful patterns of light and shadow along with the extreme angle make this an outstanding shot. vf
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