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)
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
Costa Rica
Jabuticaba, a Brazilian grape tree The fruit grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree.
eucalyptus
Coconut trees , Lombok, Bali, Indonesia
Banyan tree
Toborochi tree
by Hengki Koentjoro via pinterest
Mossy Roots, Sintra, Portugal
Boabab, Also known as the tree of life
Cypress
Cannonball tree, by Douglas Peebles Photography, Alamy, fruit grows directly on the trunk
Jennifer Long, Janus Photo Arts on Flickr
Olive tree
Madagascar’s ancient forest of baobab trees
Spanish moss
Jason Hehir photography
By Patrick Dougherty, made from willows
Moss on oak trees
Thanks to: 9Wows, and Dean.
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)
Remember, Only GOD can make a tree.
I am speechless! Wonderful photography, but GOD gets the glory for his creations These are a FEW of his exceptional creations.
Thanks ever so much for sharing these magnificent wonders still left for all to see.
Wow these are absolutely amazing!
I Love these Pictures.
Our God , an ingenious creator!
If you love big trees, please come visit a non-profit organization that celebrates and protects them http://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/bigtree/
Image 63 is at Disney World and is man made.
The majestic Tree of Life stands proudly as the icon of the Animal Kingdom Park.
From a distance, this imposing structure appears to be the real thing. As you draw closer, the amazing details come to life. An international team of artisans were brought together to design and implement the carving of nearly 400 animals in it’s intricate framework.
Thanks for correcting this though I admit I’m a little disappointed it’s not real. But glad it’s a huge project including many artists.
Nothing rivals God’s workmanship!!
I’m in awe!
What beautiful, awesome trees. You can see God’s handiwork looking at them.
ABSOLUTE LY BEAUTIFUL
This is so beautiful and whether it is mans work or Gods it still is very beautiful as even when man creates works of art it is all God’s works
The images of these truly lovely and amazing structures filled me with joy and also made me cry…
God’s grace
Our God is an awesome God
Let’s give evolution a little credit.
Thanks that was interesting and to the person that pointed out image 63 be from Disney Good eye I have seen that tree….
Hmmm. Maybe God created evolution if you want to play that card.
What a thrill to look at these! Being an artist, I’m naturally drawn to trees and all the rest of God’s marvelous creation. I love to paint them, and at the same time wish I could hear them tell their story.
Thanks for going to all the trouble to gather this collection. Love it!
Only our God create wonders.
Many years ago when I was in grade school, we were required to memorize TREES by Joyce Kilmer. I, of course, all of probably eight or nine years old, thought the whole idea was to teach us something about rhyme and meter. Of course I was wrong as these photos testify.
. I have always been most relaxed and at peace with myself and God when in the forest. God is Great and reflects it so magnificently with all the trees He gives us throughout the world. We needn’t look any further for our God, because His trees tell us what we need to understand. I was asked to solo for the Academy Graduation Ceremony here in Kelowna many years ago and my accompanist chose a song titled -“I Think That I Should Never See A Poem Lovely As A Tree.” This solo, also tells this same idea of God’s trees being here for our refuge or renewal when the world seems too busy or full of strife.
Hopefully, mankind will realize the gift we have in trees before it’s too late.
Years ago my own cousin in Sweden (Carl Boberg) felt the same awe and gratefulness when he composed the wonderful hymn we all know which is “How Great Thou Art” God— is Great !
This is such a great forward. Trees are a blessing and they give us a cool place to sit under when it’s too hot. I find that I am so relaxed when in the forest. We’ve always camped with our family and never tire of Provincial Campgrounds here in B.C.
God demonstrates all we need to know with trees. They grow with good soil, water and sunshine just as we need a solid foundation with care and love to grow as mortals.
Let’s remember to be grateful for His blessings. Love, Sylvy.
I’m stunned that God will make such as these and yet still create man – what a travesty!!!
The lifeline, the majesty, the reminder that we are in the process of destroying the very host of these magnificent beings! Dear God!
WOW, really gets down to the roots. Huh!
Never, never, NEVER cut down a living tree!
Thank you – thank you thank you – celestial music for my eyes.
Wow, Incredible, how many different beauties are around the world, how, after anyone has seen this, can they beleive that God does not exist? These just inforce it even more that He is and will alway be our creator.
Just think how many people (young and old) who are too busy texting, tweeting and on cell phones to even notice one of God’s natural beauties. What a shame.
I believe we are all alike in that matter as we do not pay attention to most things in life and we must take notice of the beauty around us not only the trees but every aspect of nature is so beautiful in it’s own way and I do believe younger folks are more in tune with nature then we give them credit for it is in a much different form then we are………………………………………..Edward Mac.
These are AMAZING photos of trees & their ability to survive the ages. Just think, some of these trees were alive when God’s son walked the earth. Give GOD the glory! Man has a long way to go.
What sights to behold of the natural beauty found growing from the grounds of our world. May these trees continue to thrive and bring pleasure to the eyes of others.
The artistry of the photographers is much appreciated.
As a career forester, I had the wonderful privilege of caring for trees. I have never ceased to be inspired and renewed by solitary visits to God’s awesome creation – FORESTS.
Tress are beautiful in there own surroundings like everything in our world they do have there places but when they are in large cities they tend to create problems of one sort or another so therefore must be taken down as most of the tress that are planting in and around cities have been put there hundreds or even thousands of years before they were even cities anywhere so therefore we must and should respect people who have to come and take these trees down for they are only doing us a favor. Edward Mac.
Such beauty. Such life.
I have been taking a coursera course: Beauty, Form and Function: An exploration of Symmetry that enhances the magnificence of trees and nature with detail.
Beautiful!
The trees are magnificent.
I didn’t recognize any as the beautiful, unbelievable Kauri trees of New Zealand.
I would like to add these pictures to my Mac iPhoto files. Are they available for such, and can they be put into a form more manageable to make the leap to the iPhoto file. Thanks so much.
Dr. Donald J. McGraw, Biologist
Nature and mankind. They mix well! Thank you!
What a beautiful selection of trees around the world; keep takin’ good care or them.
Makes me feel calm. Great photos!
Superlatives that have been expressed barely touch the range of feelings that our own human cells could enable us to feel and express around these magnificent life forms. Modern children cannot be condemned , for just as the tree starts from a cell and its form is only be fully arrived at by what it can draw from all of its environment, so to does the child. The tree grows into a Baobob or Californian Redwood, the child grows up to be Darwin; Ghandi; Confuscious, Paul Robeson or other just as magnificent.
thank you for this gift
Thank you mother nature and natural selection, these outcropings are beautiful.
Two versions of the Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTtfX7pVBiM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcnnUpsAVRI
Beautiful Trees..I Love trees and take very good care of mine!
I am grateful to the artist who gathered this photo journey
for each of us to enjoy. My father would have us kids look at trees and feel the bark, and imagine the story of that tree…He t aught us how to determine the age of the various trees, what kind and benefits of each food, shelter, ( animal or people)…cleaning of air..evidence of winds, floods, fire, animal marks, etc. ..Native Americans teach us be more respectful of trees, water, and air.