How to Love Mother Nature? Let me help you understand the value of trees: trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen for us to breathe and provide shelter for countless creatures on this planet. Not only that, trees are considered the green giants of Earth, helping to shield and protect humanity from the adverse effects of natural disasters. Furthermore, trees are steadfast friends whenever we feel sad or weary.
There are many reasons for us to cherish tree species, one of which is the magnificent beauty that trees provide. Below are 16 of the most stunning ancient trees in the world—trees that have lived for hundreds of years, with majestic canopies more beautiful than those in fairy tales. Let’s admire them together!
1. The 125-Year-Old Rhododendron in British Columbia, Canada
Image source: reddit
Planted in front of a house in Ladysmith—a small town on Vancouver Island, Canada—this rhododendron mesmerizes passersby with its vibrant pink hue. This rhododendron has existed for over 125 years, standing 7.6 meters tall with a canopy spread of about 9 meters, with its brilliant blooms enhancing the beauty of the home significantly.
2. The 144-Year-Old Wisteria at Ashikaga Park, Tochigi, Japan
Image source: y-fu
This giant 144-year-old wisteria in Ashikaga Park, Tochigi, Japan, may not be the largest wisteria in the world, but it is enough to awe visitors with its canopy spreading over an area of 1,990 square meters, planted around 1870.
3. The Wind-Swept Tree at Slope Point, South New Zealand
Image source: Seabird Nz
This wind-swept tree has a unique shape, twisting and bending in one direction, as it must endure fierce and cold winds blowing in from Antarctica.
4. The Japanese Maple in Washington Park, USA
Image source: falcor88
The Japanese maple planted in Washington Park, located west of Portland, Oregon, USA, shines brightly like the sun amidst the trees, attracting many visitors to the park’s over 22,000 square meters for sightseeing and photography.
5. The Moss-Covered Southern Oak in Oregon, USA
Image source: Drew Hopper
This oak species originates from Chile and Argentina and thrives in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.
6. The Cherry Blossom Tree in Bonn, Germany
Image source: Adas Meliauskas
Every April, a street in Bonn, Germany transforms into a mesmerizing cherry blossom tunnel. Walking beneath these trees will leave you feeling refreshed and forgetting the hustle and bustle of urban life.
7. The Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina, USA
Image source: Daniela Duncan
This 1,500-year-old oak in Charleston, South Carolina, USA is known as a fairy tale and a treasured asset of the area. The Angel Oak has a height of 20 meters, a diameter of 8.5 meters, and a canopy coverage of up to 1,600 square meters, with its longest branch extending 56 meters. With an estimated lifespan of around 1,400 to 1,500 years, this oak is regarded as one of the oldest living organisms on the eastern shore of the Mississippi River, USA.
8. The Flamboyant Tree in Brazil
Source: Salete T Silva
This vibrant flamboyant tree is native to Madagascar but also grows extensively in tropical regions around the world.
9. The Dragon Blood Tree in the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen
Source: Csilla Zelko
This Dragon Blood tree has a peculiar shape resembling a giant umbrella. Its fearsome name comes from the dark red resin that resembles blood. Historically, Dragon Blood resin was valuable for dyeing and medicinal purposes in traditional remedies. Today, it is primarily used for making paint and varnish.
10. The Giant Sequoia in Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Source: Michael Nichols
This giant sequoia, named President, is 3,200 years old and stands about 75 meters tall with a circumference of 28 meters, comparable to a 20-story building, located in Sequoia National Park, California, USA. It is the third-largest tree in the world and is particularly famous as one of America’s natural wonders.
11. The Vibrant Red Maple Forest in St. Louis, Oregon, USA
Source: Ian Sane
Walking through this path, you might feel as if you are stepping on a stunning red carpet, especially when accompanied by a loved one, what could be better?
12. The Rainbow Eucalyptus on Kauai Island, Hawaii, USA
Source: jwilsonnorton
This rainbow eucalyptus sheds its bark multiple times a year. After each shedding, a pale green layer is revealed, which gradually darkens to shades of blue, orange, and dark brown, resembling a beautiful painting. Additionally, the unique colors of this species are used for paper production and are widespread across the South Pacific.
13. The Jacaranda Tree in Cullinan, South Africa
Source: Elizabeth Kendall
If you have the chance to visit Cullinan in October, you will surely be mesmerized by the stunning purple jacaranda flowers blooming everywhere.
14. The Avenue of Ancient Oaks in South Carolina, USA
Source: Lee Sosby
These ancient oak trees were planted in 1790 along the Sixie Plantation road in South Carolina, USA.
15. The Baobab Tree in Madagascar
Source: confitalsurf
The baobab tree, belonging to the Adansonia family, is one of eight special tree species that only grow in Madagascar, Africa, or Australia. The baobab has a remarkable ability to survive even in the harshest conditions. It is seen as a symbol of the arid lands of Africa. Locals use the trunk of the baobab to store water during droughts.
16. The Dark Hedges of Old Ash Trees near Armoy Village in Northern Ireland
Image source: Stephen Emerson
The Dark Hedges, an avenue of ancient oak trees, stretches along a quiet road named Bregagh, near the village of Armoy in Northern Ireland. This row of oak trees was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century with the intention of creating a picturesque landscape to impress guests visiting their estate. Two centuries later, these majestic old oaks have retained their stunning beauty and have become one of the most photographed natural masterpieces in Northern Ireland.
