We live on an amazing planet, where millions of species of animals and plants have coexisted for millions of years. Within the great Plant Kingdom we find a series of trees that, either because of the cheerful color of their flowers, because of the imposing height they reach once they reach adulthood, or because of the curious shape of their trunk, make them The Exemplars, like this, in capital letters, or what is the same: in the most beautiful trees on Earth.
They are so spectacular, that it is likely that more than one and more than one of us lament the climate we have. Yes Yes. Surely more than once you have fallen in love with a plant and when you see the rusticity you have seen that you could not - or, rather, that you should not - buy it because it could not live well in your area. I recognize that this has happened to me many times, and surely it will happen many more, for example, with some of these wonderful trees.
Angel Oak, in Charleston, South Carolina (USA)
Normally, when we see an oak or any tree of the Quercus genus, a tree with a rounded, glass-shaped crown comes to mind, with more or less ordered branches. Angel Oak whose scientific name is quercus virginianaHowever, this is not the case. Its branches have spread to all sides; sThey are so long that their leaves provide shade for a total area of 1600 m2.
It measures 20 meters high, has a trunk thickness of 11 meters, and also it is estimated that it could be between 400 and 500 years old. An amazing age for a Quercus.
Bottle tree, Australia
If you thought that only bottle-shaped trees grew in Africa ... you were wrong. In Australia they have two, which are the Adansonia gregorii and this, the Brachychiton rupestris. Both are very striking but the second is spectacular. It reaches 20 meters in height, and it takes at least 10 people to hug its trunk. Incredible true?
Sakura tree, in Japan
The Sakura Tree, also known by the common name of japanese cherry, is one of the most beautiful plants native to Japan. Its scientific name is Prunus serrulata, and in spring it's quite a show. So much so that, while it blooms, the Japanese take the opportunity to celebrate what is known as Hanami, which is a Japanese tradition of observing flowers and having fun.
Tule tree, in Mexico
This is a magnificent specimen of taxodium mucronatum. It is found in Santa María del Tule, in Oaxaca, Mexico, and it is one of the trees with the thickest trunk, if not the one with the largest. It is very likely that in the past there would have been several Taxodiums and that over time they were merging. Today, It measures 42 meters in diameter, and has reached a height of 35,4m.
Japanese maple, in the Arboretum of Maryland (USA)
Image - Flickr / Jack Lyons
El japanese maple (Acer palmatum in botanical jargon) is an exceptionally beautiful arboreal plant. It is beautiful in spring, in summer, in autumn ... even in winter when it has no leaves! But the one with the Maryland Arboretum is impressive. It is believed to be 100 years old, and its branches have developed in such a way that they are very curious, as you can see in the image.
Baobab, in Africa
The Baobab is the typical bottle-shaped tree that we can see in some documentaries from Africa. Is awesome. It belongs to the botanical genus Adansonia, and A. grandidieri, which you can see in the image above, is the highest of all. It can reach 35 meters in height and its trunk measures 11 meters in diameter.. There is nothing.
Solitary cypress, in Monterey, California
Once the seed touches the ground, if the conditions are favorable to germinate ... it will sprout. The problem is that sometimes you can do it on sites that are not too appropriate, as happened to this Cupressus macrocarpa, who lives in Monterey. It is approximately 250 years old, and is one of the most photographed in the world.
Entandrophragma excelsum, the tallest tree in Africa
Image - Andreas Hemp
The tallest tree in Africa lives on Mount Kilimanjaro, and until recently it was not known for sure how much it measured exactly until a team of scientists got the necessary tools to do so. Thus, using laser instruments they have been able to know that This tree reaches a height of 81,5 meters and measures up to 2,55m in diameter..
Red leaf beech, in Belgium
In the north of the Iberian Peninsula we can find beautiful beech trees, but a little further north we will enjoy red leaf beech trees. These trees, whose scientific name is Fagus sylvatica »Atropurpurea», have the same needs as their siblings, although the intense color of its leaves attracts much more attention. So much so that I couldn't help getting one (and it survives in the Mediterranean with akadama! 🙂). Here's a picture:
Of course, you hardly see growth in a year. But at least she's alive and well.
General Sherman, in California National Park
Image - tourismattraction.com
General Sherman is the name of a giant sequoia that is of extraordinary age. It has been estimated that it germinated between 2300 and 2700 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest living beings on the planet, and the largest: it measures 84 meters high, and its trunk has a diameter of 11,1m. It is estimated that it weighs almost 2 million kg.
Although it seems the opposite, he may still have several centuries to live. The species to which it belongs, Sequoiadendron giganteum, gets to live 3200 years.
American elm, in Central Park in New York
It is true that New York is a city where thousands and millions of people pass through its streets every day. But it also has wonderful landscapes, and one of them is Central Park. There you can enjoy the beauty of the American elms, scientifically known by the name of american ulmus. Native to eastern North America, these trees are capable of withstanding frosts down to -42ºC. Although yes, before winter comes, its leaves are dyed a beautiful yellow color worthy of admiration.
And with this we are done. Which of these trees did you like the most?