ANCIENT TREES: Bristlecone pine and sequoia

Standing majestically over the mountains in some isolated areas are bristlecone pine, Fritzroya (a cypress) and giant sequoia. Some of these trees, about 5,000 years of age, were seedlings as the ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Indus Valley and Chinese civilizations developed.

Giant Sequoia “General Grant” is about 3,300 years old. Bristlecone Pine “Methuselah” is dated at 4,854 years of age. Cypress “Alerce Milenario” of South America is about 5,000 years old.

Historical accounts and legends suggest that the Earth experienced a major catastrophe about 5,000 years. These histories include the destruction of Atlantis, the Sumerian Flood narrative, and the Genesis 6-9 account of a global deluge. Genesis 8:11 says, “Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.”

Beginning in 1853 sequoia seeds were sent to Europe and the sequoia again has wide distribution as it did in prehistoric times. We have a giant sequoia and a metasequoia (dawn redwood) growing on our property! The dawn redwood was thought extinct by evolutionists for 13 million years!

Near Clarkia, Idaho, are renowned fossil flora and fauna known for excellent preservation. Beautiful leaves of sequoia and metasequoia can be lifted intact (unfossilized)! Fossil insects still have original coloration of metallic greens, blues, purples and black!

The anniversary of Community Friend Chris Guggemos and his free summer concerts is coming up. His memorial tree is the metasequoia!

JIM PEARL, geologist

Hayden