by Lina D: How do I love thee, tree?
Let me count the ways; you change carbon dioxide into the oxygen we breathe, you sequester carbon, and you provide shelter for countless critters. There are many reasons for which we should all be tree-hugging hippies, but within the scope of this article, all we’ll focus on is how amazing some of them look.
Granted, not all of these amazing beautiful trees are trees (the Wisteria is a vine, Rhododendrons are shrubs, and bamboo technically belongs to the grass family), but we’ll give them a pass because they are amazing, huge and beautiful. So once you step outside and take a breath of fresh air, hug the nearest tree and say thank you!
If you know of an amazing tree not on this list, you can submit it at the bottom of this post.
125+ Year Old Rhododendron “Tree” In Canada
This huge 125-year-oldold rhododendron is technically not a tree – most are considered to be shrubs. (Image credits: reddit)
144-Year-Old Wisteria In Japan
Image credits: tungnam.com.hk
At 1,990 square meters (about half an acre), this huge wisteria is the largest of its kind in Japan. (Image credits: y-fu)
Wind-Swept Trees In New Zealand
These trees on Slope Point, the southern tip of New Zealand, grow at an angle because they’re constantly buffeted by extreme antarctic winds. (Image credits: Seabird Nz)
Beautiful Japanese Maple In Portland, Oregon
Image credits: falcor88
Antarctic Beech Draped In Hanging Moss In Oregon
The antarctic beech is native to Chile and Argentina, though this specimen is from the U.S.’ North Pacific region. (Image credits: Drew Hopper)
Blooming Cherry Trees in Bonn, Germany
This beautiful tunnel of cherry blossoms blooms in Bonn, Germany in April. (Image credits: Adas Meliauskas)
Angel Oak In John’s Island In South Carolina
The Angel Oak in South Carolina stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall and is estimated to be more than 1400 or 1500 years old. (Image credits: Daniela Duncan)
Flamboyant Tree, Brazil
The flamboyant tree is endemic to Madagascar, but it grows in tropical areas around the world. (Image credits: Salete T Silva)
Dragonblood Trees, Yemen
The dragonblood tree earned its fearsome name due to its crimson red sap, which is used as a dye and was used as a violin varnish, an alchemical ignredient, and a folk remedy for various ailments. (Image credits: Csilla Zelko)
The President, Third-Largest Giant Sequoia Tree In The World, California
President, located in Sequoia National Park in California, stands 241 ft (73m) tall and has a ground circumference of 93 ft (28m). It is the third largest giant sequoia in the world (second if you count its branches in addition to its trunk). (Image credits: Michael Nichols)
Maple Tree Tunnel in Oregon
Image credits: Ian Sane
Rainbow Eucalyptus In Kauai, Hawaii
Image credits: jwilsonnorton
The rainbow eucalyptus, which grows throughout the South Pacific, is both useful and beautiful. It is prized for both the colorful patches left by its shedding bark and for its pulpwood, which is used to make paper. (Image credits: Christopher Martin)
Jacarandas in Cullinan, South Africa
These beautiful Jacarandas, with their violet flowers, grow in South Africa. (Image credits: Elizabeth Kendall)
Avenue Of Oaks At Dixie Plantation In South Carolina
This avenue of oak trees was planted some time in the 1790s on Dixie Plantation in South Carolina. (Image credits: Lee Sosby)
Baobab Trees In Madagascar
These baobabs in Madagascar are excellent at storing water in their thick trunks to use during droughts. (Image credits:confitalsurf)
The Dark Hedges In Northern Ireland
Image credits: Stephen Emerson
Ireland’s Dark Hedges were planted in the 18th century. This stunning beech tree tunnel was featured on Game of Thrones as well. (Image credits: Christopher Tait)
