Arbor Days vary around the world, but for tree lovers, every day is a day to celebrate the awe-inspiring vegetation that towers above us on six of the world’s seven continents. Whether you plant a tree or plan a walk or hike in the woods, world-wide, tree huggers like us find any excuse to commune with the trees – especially while we travel. 

For Arbor Day, we thought we’d round up some of the spectacular trees that produce oxygen, provide shade, shelter, and in many other ways sustain human and animal life on planet Earth. Not to mention create mystical environments that have inspired practices like Japanese ‘forest bathing’ and are the basis of many indigenous spiritual and cultural rites. 

Here are 10 trees to plan your next trip around: 

1. General Sherman (USA)

• Species: Giant Sequoia
• Location: Sequoia National Park, California, USA
• Height: 275 feet
• Age: Around 2,200 years
• Why it's special: General Sherman is the largest tree by volume on Earth, with a circumference of 102 feet at its base. It's an awe-inspiring sight and a symbol of the incredible longevity and size of giant sequoias.
• Travel: Visitors can walk through Sequoia National Park, where General Sherman stands, and explore the giant sequoia forest.

2. The Alerce (Chile)

• Species: Alerce
• Location: Alerce Costero National Park, Chile
• Height: Around 197 feet
• Age: Estimated to be over 5,400 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in the world.
• Why it's special: Known as the "Patagonian Redwood," this ancient tree is incredibly resilient and has witnessed thousands of years of change.
• Travel: Visit some of these ancient trees along hiking trails, surrounded by stunning Patagonian landscapes.

3. The Tree of Life (Bahrain)

• Species: Mesquite tree
• Location: Desert of Bahrain
• Height: 32 feet
• Age: Estimated to be around 400 years old
• Why it's special: This solitary tree stands in the middle of a barren desert, and it’s a mystery how it survives in such harsh conditions without any visible water source. It's a symbol of resilience.
• Travel: A popular attraction, visitors marvel at its existence in the desert and the surrounding ancient ruins.

4. Old Tjikko (Sweden)

• Species: Norway Spruce
• Location: Fulufjället Mountain, Sweden
• Height: 16 feet
• Age: 9,560 years (the root system)
• Why it's special: This tree holds the title of being the oldest known living tree by root system. While the current trunk is much younger, the root system has been alive for nearly 10,000 years.
• Travel: Old Tjikko is located in the Fulufjället National Park, which also boasts stunning views and scenic trails for hikers.

5. The Baobab Trees (Africa, Australia, and Madagascar)

• Species: Baobab
• Location:  Africa (including Madagascar), Australia
• Height: Varies (some grow up to 80 feet)
• Age: Up to 6,000 years old
• Why it's special: Baobabs are often called the "upside-down trees" due to their unique appearance, with massive, swollen trunks and sparse branches that resemble roots. These trees can live for thousands of years and are known for their ability to store vast amounts of water in their trunks to survive harsh droughts.
• Travel:
  • Madagascar: The Avenue of the Baobabs (pictured, top) is one of the most famous spots in Madagascar, where travelers can walk among these towering trees.
  • Tanzania: In places like Tarangire National Park, baobabs dot the landscape, and visitors can marvel at these majestic trees while on a safari.
  • Australia: The boab trees (a species of baobab) are found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Their distinctive shape and cultural significance to Indigenous people make them a fascinating stop for travelers exploring the outback.

6. The Banyan Tree (India)

• Species: Banyan
• Location: The Great Banyan Tree, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Kolkata, India
• Height: 85 feet tall, with a canopy spanning over 100,000 square feet.
• Age: Around 250 years old
• Why it's special: The Great Banyan Tree is considered the largest tree in terms of area covered by its canopy. Its aerial roots give it an incredible and otherworldly appearance.
• Travel: Visitors to the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden can explore the massive tree and enjoy the surrounding botanical gardens.

7. Pando (USA)

• Species: Quaking Aspen
• Location: Fishlake National Forest, Utah, USA
• Height: Varies (individual trees)
• Age: Around 80,000 years (the root system)
• Why it's special: Pando is the world’s heaviest and one of the oldest living organisms. It consists of a massive colony of genetically identical trees connected by a single root system, spread across over 100 acres.
• Travel: Visitors to Fishlake National Forest can take in the beauty of this remarkable forest and enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in the surrounding area.

8. Jomon Sugi (Japan)

• Species: Cryptomeria
• Location: Yakushima Island, Japan
• Height: 82 feet
• Age: Estimated to be up to 7,200 years old
• Why it's special: Jomon Sugi is the oldest and largest tree on Yakushima Island, known for its mystical and ancient atmosphere. The tree is shrouded in mist most of the time, adding to its magical aura.
• Travel: Trek through the lush, UNESCO World Heritage-listed forests of Yakushima to see Jomon Sugi on a challenging but rewarding hike.

9. The Olive Trees of Crete, (Greece)

• Species: Olive Tree
• Location: individual olive trees in Vouves and Kasuvi Villages, Crete, Greece
• Height: 13 feet
• Age: Around 3500 years old
• Why they're special: These 2 olive trees are the oldest known olive trees still producing fruit, an ancient symbol of the agricultural traditions of Crete and Greece.
• Travel: Enjoy ancient olive groves and learn about the history and current production and use of olive oil in Mediterranean lifestyle and culture, and taste some of the finest olive oil in the world.

10. The Comfort Maple (Canada)

• Species: Sugar Maple
• Location: Pelham, Ontario
• Height: 80 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 20 feet and a canopy spread of about 120 feet
• Age: Estimated 500 years
• Why it’s special: One of the oldest and most iconic sugar maples in the world, the Comfort Maple is believed to be the oldest sugar maple in Canada, standing as a testament to the longevity of these trees. They are the symbol of Canada's famous fall foliage and are even represented on its national flag.
• Travel: The Comfort Maple Conservation Area is open year-round, but a visit to this region of Canada in the late winter or early spring allows you to participate in ‘Sugar Season,’ when maple sap is harvested and cooked into maple syrup and a variety of maple sugar treats. Don’t miss a festival pancake breakfast! 

These trees represent not only the beauty and diversity of our planet’s natural wonders but also the resilience and history that trees carry. Visiting them allows you to connect with nature in a deep and meaningful way.

START YOUR NATURE TRIP!

Images: Getty

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