News Plants

Ancient trees’ gnarled, twisted shapes provide irreplaceable habitats

The trees’ knotty bark and ability to die in segments house and feed forest species

mountain pines in Pyrenees

Mountain pines (Pinus uncinata) ramp down growth and reproduction as they age in favor of strategies that help them live for centuries.

Bob Gibbons / Alamy Stock Photo

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

Earth’s oldest, knotted and scarred pine trees are a boon for forest life.