These trees live longer than any other. The oldest known bristlecone is more than 4600 years old. This wood comes from trees killed in a forest fire about 1800. Hundreds of these trees later logged for steam locomotive fuel, mine timbers, and railroad ties. The stumps were left behind. The southern Colorado ranch where I cut my material is covered with these stumps. No living trees are harmed, or used to make my products. Many of these trees were growing before Christ was born. Approximate length of blade is 3 1/2".