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

trees, pat dougherty, 2 trees, Patrick Dougherty’s Mind-Blowing Nest Houses Made of Living Treestrees, pooktre 2trees, pooktre, 3trees, pooktre, 4trees, 9trees, carvingstrees, 15trees, 16trees, Angkor-Wattrees, baugaarten, dk

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. What A beautiful sight indeed and thanks to those who have made this wonderful site available to one and all

  2. This was awesome. I truly enjoyed all the beautiful trees. Didn’t know such beauty existed until I saw this.

  3. These trees were very interesting. Beautiful what God can create. The poem by Joyce Kilmore , “Trees” made into a song was so appropriate for these photos.

  4. we breathe and so do they.they give us what we need and we give them what they need, i am grateful. thank you..save all you can and send money to trees for the future as they plant thousands a year. our planet will not survive unless we have enough oxygen for all 7 billion of us.

  5. I believe that trees (as well as most other things!) by God for man to use. And that is why there are so many different types of trees that have different uses and to grow in different locales. Looking at the beauty of trees fulfills man soul but you should never forget that utility is their prime purpose.

  6. Fabulous! Uplifting! Alien! A gift from the heavens!
    I am ill today and came across these wonderful photos. They were certainly uplifting.
    As with other posters, I grew up and lived many years in Northern California and so visited, appreciated and took in the aroma of the Redwoods and Sequoias. Magnificent! You must see them in person. I am made to feel smaller when I veiw the magnificence of these creations.

  7. What a beautiful and varied collection! I too am ill at present and these uplifting branches uplifted my spirit.
    My feeling is that God created trees for their own sake, not humanity’s, and than we must respect and conserve, not plunder their bounty. Yes, we use them and are thankful, for all their gifts, but they have their own inner purposes and lives.
    Thank you for posting these wonder-full pictures.

  8. What a beautiful collection. How can anyone not believe in a supreme creator just by looking at these trees, let alone all the other things in this world and universe.

  9. I have to agree with those who look at these trees and thank the Lord God for His creation that He gave to us to use and manage.

  10. So beautiful to behold, these amazing gifts from our Creator God.
    Praise His Holy Name.
    Thanks to the contributions of you all for sharing.
    God bless

  11. Sandals Resort removes old and beautiful trees to build and for parking lots and plan to remove more trees in 2016 in a beautiful woodland that they own in Barbados!

  12. It makes want to plant a tree (or several), and watch it/them grow.
    This was very interesting.

  13. Isn’t it amazing what GOD can do, he created man who in turn made the camera to take the pictures of trees created by GOD

    Dean Willey

  14. Thank you to photogrphers who help us to get a whisper of the wonders of these amazing live sculpture gifts from our Creator.

  15. THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL, HARD TO BELEIVE THERE ARE
    FOLKS WHO DON’T BELEIVE

    GOD’S CREATION

    GOING TO SEND TO ALL MY FRIENDS

  16. so very very very interesting to see such natural beauty. We are Lucky to be able to share the works of God

  17. Awe Inspiring, so beautiful, majestic & truly unique. Let’s all picket & shame Sandals Resorts if earlier comment is true – if so, how can it be done?

  18. I have NEVER seen so many lovely trees in my life. thanks so very much for these photos. feel free to send more. thank you again. Mr. scott.

  19. These are beautiful photographs of trees and I am quite sure each tree has its own story to tell especially those that are shaped like people! Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!

  20. TREES the life and breath of air and soil, Let them grow as we toil.

  21. Pingback: Where Is Inspiration? -

  22. This is God in action. If you can’t see God here you can never see him Krishan Bhugtiar

  23. Pingback: 我不知道这种树到底能长多大,都2000年了还在长 | 只分享好故事

  24. Multumim creatorilor acestui grup de photography pentruca , prin ei am avut ocazia sa vedem minunile naturi.

  25. Looking at this with my friend in our Nursing home our comment is,how lucky we are as retirement village people to be able to still appreciate Gods creations .
    Respectfully Margaret Clancy and Raye Nugent.
    Fair-View village,
    WARRAGUL VICTORIA

  26. I feel a great affinity with trees as if I was one in a prior life. I love this presentation of theses most beautiful trees and demonstration of God’s greatness. I am a Marriage, Family Therapist/License Professional Counselor in Ashland, Oregon

  27. It has taken my breath away! To see, God’s creation, so beautiful, so awesome, unforgettable, warm, loving and caring, are just a few of descriptive words, that I have, after viewing all of the trees shown in this e-mail. Thank you God, for your creation of beauty!

  28. I have seen the Baobab in Namibia, Africa, the giant Sequoia in California, the blue flowering Jacaranda in South Africa, the temples under trees in Angor Wat, the House built around the tree (where?),
    the Banyan tree covering a huge area in Fort Myers, Florida, giant Eucalyptus on Madeira Island, Portugal, giant Douglas Firs in Cathedral Forest, Vancouver Island, Canada ……. and and and so many more. Nature is our greatest gift of all – RESPECT IT!!!!!

  29. These beautiful trees make Man seem so insignifigant. From the massive tree of life to the smallest Fir tree for a “shut ins” Christmas, Our God has covered it all.
    PS. I should nopt have shown this to my dog. He is still in shock.

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