There’s something special about trees. Looking at trees, we can often see a beauty in them that goes beyond their practical uses. Sometimes, they can be so aesthetically pleasing that they’re considered art pieces. They can be powerful symbols of growth and change, representing new beginnings. Or they can be reminders of stability and endurance, standing tall and strong through all weather conditions. Trees are also some of the most beautiful creatures on Earth, with their leaves changing color in the fall, creating a stunning display of colors.
Below we’ve compiled a list of 25 of the most incredibly beautiful trees in the world. From towering Sequoias Trees to delicate Cherry Blossoms, these trees are sure to take your breath away!
1. Socotra Dragon Trees
The Socotra Dragon Tree is one of the world's most unique and intriguing trees. Native to Socotra, an island off the coast of Yemen, these trees are characterized by their dragon-like appearance, with long serpentine branches that twist and curl in all directions. The trees are also covered in a thick layer of bark that is reddish-gray. While they may look like something from a fairy tale, the Dragon Trees are quite hardy and can survive in very harsh conditions. They are some of the few plants on Socotra that can resist the harsh winds and temperatures that blast the island during its dry season.
2. Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees
The Eucalyptus deglupta, also known as the Rainbow Eucalyptus, is a unique tree that grows in tropical climates. It has a beautiful, rainbow-colored bark that stands out from other trees. The Rainbow Eucalyptus can grow up to 250 feet tall, and its leaves are used to make tea. If you’re ever in the tropics, look for this amazing tree!
3. The Quaking Aspen Trees
In the wind, the leaves of the quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) rustle and whisper secrets to one another. While countless trees boast beautiful autumnal hues, one of the most underrated is the quaking aspen. Unlike their taller deciduous brethren, these softly swaying beauties put on a show long after all the other leaves have fallen. Take a drive out into the mountains and see for yourself—you won’t be disappointed!
4. The Sagano Bamboo Forest
The Sagano Bamboo Forest is a place unlike any other on Earth. It’s an enchanted forest of towering bamboo stalks that stretch high into the sky, and it’s one of the most beautiful places in Japan. Walking through the forest is a surreal experience. It’s like stepping into another world. The soft rustling of the bamboo leaves and the peaceful sound of running water create a tranquil atmosphere that is truly relaxing. If you're lucky, you might even see a few monkeys or deer frolicking among the trees! If you’re ever in Kyoto, visit this magical place.
5. This Strangler Fig
Named after their habit of growing upon buildings, structures, and host trees (often to the demise of the said host), strangler trees are as lethal as they sound. This strangler fig is growing upon the ancient temple of Ta Prohm in Siem Reap, Cambodia, built-in 1186 AD.
6. The Sequoias Trees
Famous for being the world’s biggest trees, sequoias grow to an average height of 150 to 280ft, with trunk diameters around 16 to 23ft. The oldest known sequoia, the President Tree in Sequoia National Park, California, is around 3,200 years old, and many sequoias can be found in California’s Yosemite National Park.
7. The Oyamel Fir Trees
There’s something about the oyamel fir tree that makes it special. Perhaps it’s the way the delicate branches effortlessly twist and turn, reaching for the sky. Or maybe it’s the soft, snow-white needles that seem to glisten in even the faintest light. Deep in the cloud forests of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, oyamel fir trees grow at altitudes between 8,000 and 11,000ft. The trees, more commonly known as sacred firs, are home to colonies of monarch butterflies, which cover their trunks and branches throughout the Oyamel forest with bright-orange and black-tipped wings.
8. Cherry Blossom Trees
The unofficial national flower of Japan is the cherry blossom, and cherry blossom trees can be found all over the country. Known as sakura, the trees, and their light pink blossoms, are symbols of grace, beauty, and mortality.
9. The Mangroves
Mangroves are one of nature’s most fascinating creations. These trees thrive in salty, muddy waters where most other plants would wither and die. They play an important role in the delicate ecosystem of their surroundings, and they are a beautiful sight to behold. If you’re ever in Bangladesh, take a walk through the mangroves and experience their magic for yourself!
10. The Old Wisteria Trees
In Japan’s Ashikaga Flower Park, this old wisteria has been hailed as the most beautiful tree in the world. The tree has a magical, ethereal feel with long, sweeping branches and dangling purple flowers.
11. Twisted By Winds
Set atop rugged cliffs, Slope Point, at the southernmost point of New Zealand, is home to brutal, violent weather. These trees have been twisted, bent, and pummelled by winds sweeping across the seas from Antarctica.
12. The Famous Dark Hedges
In Northern Ireland’s Ballymoney, this avenue of beech trees has become known as the Dark Hedges. Most famously used as a filming location in Game of Thrones, the eerie tree tunnel is where Arya Stark escaped from King’s Landing with Hot Pie and Gendry.
13. The Argan Trees
When you think of Morocco, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the country’s stunning mosques and winding streets. But if you venture outside the cities, you’ll find a completely different landscape: miles and miles of argan trees. These unique trees are found only in Morocco and provide a wealth of benefits to humans and the environment. Branches lean towards the ground, providing a fun climbing opportunity for local goats.
14. The Pastel-colored Confetti
Nicknamed the Jacaranda City for the abundance of these purple-flowering trees, South Africa’s Pretoria is filled with streets lined with pastel-colored confetti from the falling blossom.
15. The Crooked Forest
In the village of Nowe Czarnowo in Poland, this grove of oddly-shaped pine trees is known as the Crooked Forest. For mysterious reasons, each tree bends sharply towards the north at the base of the trunk before curving back to grow straight.
16. The Sycamore Tree
Sycamore trees are native to North America and can be found in many parts of the country. They grow very large, up to 100 feet tall, and have distinctive bark that flakes off in patches, revealing a smooth underlying surface. The branches are often bent and twisted, giving the tree a peculiar appearance. But it is the leaves that are most striking; they are broad and compound, with up to 20 leaflets radiating. A brick wall surrounds a small replacement sapling to protect it from hungry nibbling sheep.
17. The Wistman’s Wood
Walking into Wistman’s Wood is like stepping into a fairy tale. The ancient, twisted trees loom over you, branches reaching out to touch the sky. It’s easy to understand why this place inspired many myths and legends. Even today, Wistman’s Wood is still shrouded in some magic. Visitors often feel a sense of peace and stillness that is hard to find anywhere else. If you’re looking for a taste of the magical, come to Wistman’s Wood.
18. The Willow Tree
This willow tree drapes over a lake in Suffolk, its reflection emphasizing its impressive size as the dangling branches sweep across the water’s surface.
19. The Beech Tree
On the outskirts of London stretching into Essex, Epping Forest is an ancient woodland extending over 6,000 acres. It’s filled with beech, oak, and hornbeam, and wandering through the trees is a tonic for city dwellers who need a nature escape.
20. The Oak Tree
Sherwood Forest was home to renowned outlaw Robin Hood, and legend has it that he and his merry men used the Major Oak for shelter. Set in the heart of the forest, the tree is one of around 1,000 ancient oaks, all home to squirrels, birds, bats, and bugs.
21. The Baobab trees
Baobab trees are strange and magnificent creatures. Towering above the surrounding landscape, they are easily recognizable by their iconic trunk and large, spreading branches. Often called the “tree of life,” baobabs hold a special place in the hearts of those who know them.
22. The Joshua Trees
The Joshua trees. They are iconic and strange, whimsical and wonderful. These spiny plants can be found in the Mojave Desert of California and are a must-see for any visitor. Though they may look like sticks sticking out of the ground, Joshua trees are beautiful when you take the time to appreciate them.
23. The Camel Thorn Trees
A dark reminder of the climate crisis, these camel thorn trees died from lack of water in Deadvlei, a white clay pan in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft Park, leaving their black, sun-scorched skeletons grasping their way out of the ground.
24. Gnarled Juniper Tree
Situated on a rocky outcrop, the gnarled juniper tree is a sight to behold. Its twisted branches reach out in all directions as if it is trying to grab onto anything they can. The thick and sturdy trunk shows that this tree has weathered many storms. Despite its age, the juniper tree remains green and healthy, thanks to its deep roots. This tree is a testament to the resilience of nature.
25. The Angel Oak Tree
The Angel Oak Tree is a sight to behold. Standing 65 feet tall and spreading over 17,000 square feet, this ancient oak is a true Southern icon. Many people don’t know that the Angel Oak isn’t just beautiful, it’s also significant. This tree has been around for over 400 years and is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms in the world. To see this natural wonder up close is an awe-inspiring experience, so make sure to add it to your list of things to do in South Carolina!
It’s hard to pick a favorite tree, they are all so different and unique. We hope you enjoyed this tour of some of the most incredible trees in the world.
Which one was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below which one you liked most – we would love to hear from you.
