Baikushev's pine, Ancient coniferous tree in Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria.
Baikushev's pine is a Bosnian pine in the Pirin Mountains near the town of Bansko in southwestern Bulgaria. The tree reaches a height of 22 meters and grows at an elevation of around 1930 meters in the mountain landscape.
A forester named Kostadin Baikushev discovered this conifer during a scientific expedition with Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria in 1897. Since then it has been considered one of the oldest living trees on Bulgarian soil and attracts researchers from across Europe.
The tree bears the name of forest ranger Kostadin Baikushev and stands as a protected natural monument since its official registration. Hikers often encounter photographers and botanists who observe the old trunk from different angles and document its rough bark.
The tree stands around 300 meters from the Banderitsa refuge and can be reached via marked hiking trails. The paths are easily walkable in summer, while snow and ice can make the approach more challenging in winter.
Scientists used a Pressler borer to examine the trunk's age and counted more than 1300 growth rings. This method shows that the tree was already standing when the first Bulgarian rulers consolidated their power in the Balkan region.
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