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

trees, 5 (2)

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. Admirer c’est adorer! En admirant la si divine nature, c’est reconnaître humblement la puissance, la majesté de Dieu créateur. Credo.

  2. This is just lovely! I’m saving the pictures to view again and again — puts things in perspective!

  3. I loved the pictures of all the trees Its amazing how they can grow so interesting….Love to see more pictures like these

  4. My alter ego, The Forest Creature, truly appreciates these beautiful Children of the Earth. Whether or not the christian god had anything to do with these celestial growths is immaterial to me.

    Their beauty, like Art for Art’s Sake, is eternal, ineffable, and not to be characterized by non-universal beliefs.

  7. James Joyce got it right ” I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree…..” Awesome

  8. James Joyce had it right:”I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree….poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree” Awesome

  12. what a beutiful world we live in, photographs are so amazing, how can people not believe that our awesome God created such beauty.

  13. Fascinating photos of these trees, but a more extensive use of labels for all would be welcome.

  14. Absolutely fascinating pictures! Almost all of them would be fair game for framing and hung in the right place. And to listen to Paul Robeson again……….sheer Heaven !!! Thank you !!!

  15. Reminds me of forgotten boyhood chuckle (I’m now 91) -World’s worst flood when man at Dog show sang “Trees”

  16. These beautiful creations from the Lord Almighty never cease to amaze me. All I could say was “Wow look at that” over and over again. Thank you for sharing God’s wonderful gift with me.

  17. Try Joyce Kilmer (Sergeant 165th Infantry) KIA near OURCY, France July 30th, 1918 wrote TREES and not James Joyce

    W.D. WILLIAMS

  18. These trees are really outstanding and educational to people of all ages. I only wish everyone could see them.

  19. I’ve always loved trees so these pictures were a real treat. Thanks. Note-the huge tree with animals sort of carved into the trunk is from the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom at Disney World and is man made.

  20. Glad to see someone else pointed out it was Joyce Kilmer (male) who wrote “Trees”. My mother played it on the piano, and sang it to us when we were kids, and I have always loved the majesty of trees, and admired Paul Robson, who was her favourite singer.

  25. Classic example of Reciprocal Maintenance; the universe and its amazing ways of feeding us while we try unselfishly to feed it.

  29. Poems by Joyce Kilmer : 39 / 42

    « To Certain Poets
    Vision »

    Trees

    I think that I shall never see
    A poem lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
    Against the earth’s sweet 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.
    Joyce Kilmer

  30. How beautiful can beautiful be, wen you an see the beauty of a tree.

  31. Thanks for compiling this fabulous collection of beautiful pictures of magnificent trees! What a pleasure to behold! to God be the Glory and to you for sharing them w/the world of tree lovers.

  32. Simply marvelous reminders of what beauty nature is capable of producing. Awe inspiring to say the least!

    Thanks for sharing. I loved them!

  36. Speechless,they are so awesome Have always loved all kinds of trees,
    I think about how ancient they are and still surprise us with their beauty

  37. THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. GOD’S HAND WAS AT WORK THERE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING SO AWESOME.

  38. Awesome, always have loved trees and these are all so beautiful. God has blessed us with such beauty.

  40. Exquisite! Couldn’t find the link to listen to Paul Robeson singing……..Help??

  42. Me pareció tan fascinante contemplar estos arboles, hermosos, señoriales, con formas humanas, y solo que me queda dar un gran aplauso a nuestro Creador por tantas maravillas de Su naturaleza, y mis respetos a la profesionalidad de todas esas personas que han tomado esas preciosas y motivantes fotografias.

  43. It took millions and millions of years for Trees to develop from Grasses. That has nothing to do with Abrahamic God.
    Even today Evolution is in progress to survive and continue.
    I wish people face reality of Life?
    Great effort.
    Thanks

  44. If God could create such majestic magnificent trees, how much more majestic and magnificent HE HIMSELF must be !!!

    If we’re shaken by these awesome created trees, how much more we should turn to our mighty and magnificent CREATOR with reverence, worship and adoration!

  48. God created a beautiful world for all to enjoy. These trees are absolutely outstanding.

  50. All I can say is WOW and Beautiful. Love all the photos and the music went great with viewing all these pictures

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