Trees are the oldest and the largest living things on earth.  Some are weird, some extraordinary, some gorgeous, and some shaped by the human hand to fascinate and amuse. Please enjoy these  images–or better yet, take a walk in the woods and greet them in person with appreciation.

 

As Patricia Hays suggested in the comments below, if you’re inclined, you can listen to Paul Robeson sing about trees while you meander through this post.  Thanks to Tom Reiter for forwarding the link.

 2000 years old tree in South Africa known as tree of life (Baobab)

2000 years old tree in South Africa known as tree of life (Baobab)

The oldest tree on earth, great basin bristle cone pine, Oldest trees, over 5000 years old, in California

The oldest tree on earth, great basin bristle cone pine, Oldest trees, over 5000 years old, in California

 

General Sherman tree, Sequoia Redwood, the largest living single-stem tree and largest living organism on earth in California

General Sherman tree, Sequoia Redwood, the largest living single-stem tree and largest living organism on earth in California

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trees, 10

nature, tree from bricks

 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

ng, 1trees, 17trees, 19

 

 Jabuticaba, a Brazilian grape tree The fruit grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree.

Jabuticaba, a Brazilian grape tree The fruit grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree.

trees, 20

eucalyptus

trees, 21trees, 4trees, 12trees, 14Adaptive roots in concrete jungle, c.e.trees, baobob and kidstrees, 23trees, unusual, funzug, 2trees, unusual, funzug

Coconut trees , Lombok, Bali, Indonesia

Coconut trees , Lombok, Bali, Indonesia

trees,17trees, unusualtrees, unusual, 3trees, sycamore

Banyan tree

Banyan tree

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Toborochi tree

Toborochi tree

by Hengki Koentjoro via pinterest

by Hengki Koentjoro via pinterest

 Mossy Roots, Sintra, Portugal

Mossy Roots, Sintra, Portugal

 

 Boabab, Also known as the tree of life

Boabab, Also known as the tree of life

 

Cypress

Cypress

trees, aspenstreet art, 17

Cannonball tree, by Douglas Peebles Photography, Alamy, fruit grows directly on the trunk

Cannonball tree, by Douglas Peebles Photography, Alamy, fruit grows directly on the trunk

nature, green tree

Jennifer Long, Janus Photo Arts on Flickr

Jennifer Long, Janus Photo Arts on Flickr

Olive tree

Olive tree

 

Madagascar's ancient forest of baobab trees

Madagascar’s ancient forest of baobab trees

Spanish moss

Spanish moss

trees, 9 wows, gary

trees, 3

 

trees, 22

Jason Hehir photography

Jason Hehir photography

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By Patrick Dougherty, made from willows

By Patrick Dougherty, made from willows

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Moss on oak trees

Moss on oak trees

trees, whiteThanks to:  9Wows, and Dean.

 

Tule tree, S. Mexico

Tule tree, S. Mexico

This post is a group effort.  Here’s a lovely tree poem/prayer that has been going around the internet with these images.  Thanks to George for forwarding it to me:

An Ancient Prayer of the Woods

I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights,
the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun,
and my fruits are refreshing

droughts quenching your thirst as you journey on.

I am the beam that holds your house,
the board of your table,
the bed on which you lie,
and the timber that builds your boat.
I am the handle of your hoe,
the door of your homestead,
the wood of your cradle,
and the shell of your coffin.
I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.

‘Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer: Harm me not.’

(A prayer used in Portuguese forest preservation for more than 1,000 years)

605 thoughts on “Trees

  1. Pingback: Joan Larsen Presents: Dusky Pierce’s Remarkable Trees of Our World | Forming The Thread

  2. What wisdom can be found in these survivors? They are breathtaking and beautiful beyond belief! Thank you to all who captured these magnificent images.

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