“How’s my favorite branch doing?” - Ryan Howard ⁣ ⁣ Well, branches. In the shadow of Wheeler Peak at Great Basin National Park in Nevada, ancient bristlecone pine trees grow on rocky glacial moraines -- creating a surreal and beautiful landscape. Bristlecone pines are the world’s longest living tree. This strange tree, shaped by the wind, snow, and rain has survived over thousands of years, overseeing the rise and fall of great empires, growing through ice-ages and catastrophic volcanic eruptions. But their ability to survive these harsh environments and adverse growing conditions is exactly their secret to great longevity.⁣ ⁣ Image: A gnarly Bristlecone Pine at sunset at @greatbasinnp. NPS/Kelly Carroll⁣ ⁣ #treesofinstagram #bristleconepine #nevada #greatbasinnationalpark #arborday #nationalparkservice