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)
Such stunningly beautiful photos! makes me want to travel the world and see these trees for myself.
As for Paul’s comment on 6 April 2014, he obviously doesn’t play on the same golf courses as I do which have an abundance of trees!
As a Horticulturist, there is no more beauty on earth as a living tree.
Wonderful Homage to trees! Thank you.
I also wish I knew where these trees a located and especially who took some of the marvelous photos. So many images without attribution, but they are worth sharing anyway.
Wonderful pictures of trees in all shapes and settings! Congrats to the collector of these pictures. God Bless you.
These were very impressive to an old man. I am 89 years old. Thank you for a beautiful presentation.
There are some other stunning trees in Stanley Park, Vancouver, that deserve a spot here. Also, I saw a large Banyan tree in this collection, but the one in Lahaina, Hawaii, covers more than a square city block. Nevertheless, this is a breathtaking collection of photos. Thanks for posting them.
Fabulous photos! Thank you! I wish you had identified all different species with common and Latin names so I could check what would survive in my particular conditions….I’m a tree freak and am always looking for something new to grow from seed, cutting, or plant….
Wonderful!
I think mother nature is amazing in so mean way, but I think that she out did herself in every one of this trees..
hi sis i got them and was bowed away man there are so nice to look at so i hope you in joy them to photes of trees
These are the most absurd and most beautiful trees I have EVER seen!!!!! Thanks for sharing these photos!!!
After the week I have had I just had to take time to view these photos. Thanks, Nan
Magnificent! I feel so insignificant next to this glorious creation of God!
Amazing trees that help us by taking in our carbon and providing us with fruit and beauty.
Fabulous. thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sending these magnificent photos!
Trees teach me that no matter what ills or calamities may be inflicted by outside forces, I can reach deep inside and my God-given inner strength will hold, mold and save me.
mother nature – take a bow !
Awesome really doesn’t do the pictures justice.
So very, very beautiful and wonderous…Trees are so majestic and bring such joy to my soul. I love the trees!!
great photos -we city people need to be reminded once in a while about nature outside of Central Park -but still prefer the park.
wow this something Gods beauty cannot be replaced.
Thanks for sharing such amazing beauty of nature. Let’s walk with our eyes open.
Чудеса ! Но в Израиле я видал некоторые из таких деревьев ! их вырастили люди ! Надо посмотреть мои альбомы , там должны быть фото .
Words are just too inadequate to fully describe the beauty of these works of art from God!! I’m totally at a loss to express what I felt looking at this video. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing
Mother nature’s magic. Thank you very much. Lou
Thanks for sharing~
How wonderful and majestic God made these trees
I love these photos of trees, they are amazing and so beautiful.
I practically live in the woods in Missouri I have several trails I walk weekly.Going into the woods is similar to going to church when Im sitting on a log or numerous stumps and an old chair I have on my walking trail i swear it is like a spiritual thing.I love trees. I have seen the general Sherman tree and touched it it was like a trip to heaven to me. Trees inspire me for some reason a spiritual thing to me . check out a tree touch it feel it it relieves stress too. Charlie get outside it is good for your soul
You surely are not the only person who feels like that. To me, the Presence in a redwood forest is palpable–many forests are like that.
Tell me again, why we feel compelled to fell most trees we see?? We have some awe inspiring gums in Australia also.
Mother Nature has magnificent colours on her palette.
Wonderful to know that people see more than “just” a tree.
Stirred me to the roots of my soul. Too beautiful for words.
Calls to mind the Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918) poem:
Trees
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
God does beautiful work.
The most awesome trees I have ever. Love them!!!!
These trees are simply magnificent! Only the hands of God can create such beauty! Thanks for sharing!
GOD is so totally awesome I never fail to see HIS totally beauty every single day without fail!
There are no words to verbalize what these pictures have shown.
I saw the original General Sherman tree some 40 years ago. It’s largest BRANCH was 6 feet in diameter. It died of a disease and was cut down. The one they show is in the same place as the old one, King’s Canyon National Park. Amazing, almost unreal that they found the 2nd largest one in the same basic location, don’t you think?
simply amazing
thank you. Elegant
A look at the wonder that Nature has bestowed upon us, and human need to manipulate it.
I’ve have loved trees since childhood. (77yrs.) I used to love to climb them & play in their many branches & sometimes even try to construct a tree house way up on top!! They are without a doubt one of our Gods greatest creations. love, julio/artist
Breathtaking, inspiring, lovely,…….makes us realize how very small we are in the total makeup of everything….our whole family are tree lovers, and even have a shirt that says….TREE HUGGER……
What further evidence do we need of the existence of an all powerful, omnipotent God who loves us enough to create such a fantastic world of beauty.
thanks 4 sharing
Only by the hands of God
Only by the Hands of God these trees a beautiful