Bark of Bristlecone Pine photographed near the North Loop Trail.
Spring Mountains, Nevada. 2008.

Bristlecone Pines are known for the strip-bark phenomenon. This condition is most common on very old trees on which only a thin strip of live bark remains. The ramaining bark extends from one live branch down to one live root.

Bristlecone Pines only live in scattered, arid mountain regions of six western states of America. They grow at and just below the tree line.