13 Stunning Trees Around the World

Nature is full of wonder and beauty.  The more time you spend outdoors, the greater your appreciation is for the natural world. Trees are some of the most fascinating natural phenomena, and these rare trees around the world prove it. How many of these trees do you recognize?

Lacebark Pine

Pinus bungeana

This conifer grows naturally in central and northern China. It has exfoliating bark that peels back to reveal a patchwork of colors including white, olive, light purple and silver.

Banyan Tree

This unique tree sends shoots down from its branches to form new trunks, causing it to become very expansive. In fact, a single specimen can resemble a small forest.

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

This redwood holds the title of World’s Tallest Tree. Often growing to 300' tall (or more), it is an impressive sight.

Lancewood

Pseudopanax crassifolius

Somewhat of a chameleon, this tree starts out small with long, intimidating leaves shooting out right from the slender trunk. After 15–20 years, the tree starts to change to its adult form, with branches and much shorter leaves.

Wollemi Pine

Wollemia nobilis

This tree was thought to be extinct until 1994, when a park ranger discovered them growing in a national park in Australia. It is one of the world’s oldest and rarest trees. The pine’s bark is very unusual, resembling bubbling chocolate.

Montezuma Baldcypress

Taxodium mucronatum Ten.

Growing in the more central parts of Mexico, this tree is related to the baldcypress and pond cypress. The largest of the species is the Tule Tree, found on the grounds of a church in Santa María del Tule and measuring more than 119' around.

Sapodilla Tree

Manilkara zapota

The sapodilla tree grows in the rain forest on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Its sap is collected and boiled down into chicle, which was originally used to make chewing gum.

Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

The live oak has been called one of the most impressive North American trees. Its magnificent branching is only enhanced by the Spanish moss that is often draped over its limbs.

Cannonball Tree

Couroupita guianensis

This tropical tree is found in the Amazon rain forest. It produces fruit that resembles rusty cannonballs directly on the trunk.

Rainbow Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus deglupta

 Found growing throughout the South Pacific, this eucalyptus is planted as a street tree and shade tree in Hawaii. Its unique, multicolored trunk gives the tree a magical look.

Monkey Puzzle Tree

Araucaria araucana

This evergreen certainly has a unique look and is often grown as an ornamental tree. The species was declared a national monument in 1976 to help protect it from logging.

Bottle Tree (Boab)

Adansonia gregorii

This unique mountainous desert dweller has very poisonous sap. In fact, it was once used by bushmen as arrow poison.

Siberian Fir

Abies sibirica

The national tree of Russia, this fir is at home in the cold boreal forests of Siberia. It is very shade-tolerant and hardy, surviving temperatures as low as -50° C.