Most Visually Striking Trees Picture Thread

[Woollie]

Southern Europe's olive trees under threat by encroaching killer bacteria | Neos Kosmos

Where it is Covid-19 for humans a new study suggests that there is an untreatable pestilence that is posing a serious threat to the olive-producing countries of southern Europe which …

neoskosmos.com

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[The Preserver]

Huangshan Pine

( Pinus hwangshanensis )

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Unlike some other species that happened to get stuck with the name "pine", the Huangshan Pine is an actual member of the pine family. Their unusual contorted shape, characteristically flat crowns, and neatly stratified branches have made them a favorite subject of classical Chinese Art. Fortunately, individuals of this species are available in great abundance in their native range.

 

[The Preserver]

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An Odd Couple​

Sometimes flowering trees resemble conifers, and conifers flowering trees...

Queensland Kauri

( Agathis robusta )

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Although this wouldn't be news to many Australian natives, there exists within East Australia's tropical rainforests, representatives of a truly bizarre genus of conifers that feature broad compound leaves for foliage which somewhat resemble that of American Eastern Black Walnuts. While its characteristic cones are oddly shaped, they are definitely present. While appearing to have little distinction to visually set them apart from many other broad-leaved trees, there is nothing undistinguished about their primordial genesis. Though this species looks nothing alike, it is in fact related to better known trees such as the more conspicuous Norfolk Island "Pine" and the Wollemia nobilis, which is better known as the "Wollemi Pine" - another bizarre tree which made a huge splash a couple of decades ago. Its uncanny resemblance to its flowering counterparts make this tree a botanic curiosity. Historically, it was one of Australia's most important timber trees. I recommend seeing this blog posting about it:

https://snailseyeview.blogspot.com/2011/08/kauri-ing-on.html




Another Australian tree has done the opposite...

The Australian Black "She-Oak"

( Allocasuarina littoralis )

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This species is only one from an entire family of trees that are considered to be aligned with the order Fagales, which have taken to mimicking the more ancient conifers in their visual appearance. This species produces bright red female flowers seasonally. Despite its affinities, I really wish they would coin a better common name for these than just "She-Oak" - it tells people nothing about its distinctive characteristics; though since they are usually dioecious, I suppose a little credit could be given for denoting sexual dimorphism...but then the male trees become "He-Oaks." Fascinating nonetheless. It is a strange world.

 

[The Preserver]

Western Hemlock
( Tsuga heterophylla )

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Due to their unfortunate common name and the noticeable resemblance their needles share with the smaller Yew trees, Hemlock trees are one of the most maligned of all the conifers because of the still widespread misconception that they are poisonous. It need not be this way. In truth, trees of the Tsuga Genus are actually not poisonous at all to humans. The little known story of how the Tsuga got stuck with their toxic common name comes from an anecdote about the naturalists who first started writing of them and describing them in their studies; supposedly when the needles of the tree were crushed, the aroma was analogously likened to the smell of the deadly Hemlock Herb - the latter being a member of the Parsley family and not related to the Tsuga at all. The Tsuga are actually quite harmless to people, and though their needles do somewhat resemble those of other trees which are known to be poisonous, this is not the case with trees of the Tsuga. It is perfectly fine to desire one of these beauties as a choice Christmas Tree. So much harm has been caused by the myth of their toxicity, inspiring much fear and loathing from the public. It is time to put this poisonous myth to rest.

Unlike the Yews and Podocarps, the Tsuga genus is actually in the Pine Family and bear lots of pendulous, tiny woody cones on their branches. Graceful and stately trees as a group, their arcing branches give their silhouette a loose resemblance to the Himalaya's Cedrus Deodara - a popular and widely cultivated ornamental True Cedar related to the Cedar of Lebanon. A minority within the Pine Family, there are relatively few species of Tsuga that currently exist, even though all continents in the Northern Hemisphere have a few representatives. Generally, Tsuga tend to be more delicate than most other conifers and require special care and handling in the landscape - growing naturally only in very specific conditions. They are not known for being one of the easier types to grow in a garden. Most species begin life as emergent understory trees in cool and damp climates, and do not require full sun.

Not all species are universally accepted as legitimate in the academic community; a prime example is how some schools of thought relegate T. forrestii as merely a population of T. chinensis - the latter species being reputed to be the most rugged and adaptible of the Tsuga. Out of all the extant species, one species stands out from all the others...there is no doubt which one is large and in charge as the patriarch and poster child of the genus. Tsuga heterophylla, the featured tree in the above images, is a giant of the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest that is capable of reaching heights above 200 feet at maturity. The largest recorded champion has been measured at 83.34 m. Tsuga heterophylla is also the State Tree of Washington.

 

[Marck]

Although this wouldn't be news to many Australian natives, there exists within East Australia's tropical rainforests, representatives of a truly bizarre genus of conifers that feature broad compound leaves for foliage which somewhat resemble that of American Eastern Black Walnuts.

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One point of correction, the leaves of Queensland Kauri (Agathis robusta) and all other Agathis, are simple, not compound, nor anything like the leaves of Walnuts (Juglans spp.). On primary, vertical branches, Agathis leaves are spirally arranged; on secondary, lateral branches, they are arranged oppositely.

 

[Marck]

Oldest, Tallest, and Largest... and all in California! (maybe)

Oldest
The oldest trees with a single main trunk (non-clonal) are individuals of the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva). The species also ranges into Nevada and Utah, but the oldest specimens are in the White Mountains of eastern California. The oldest confirmed living tree is a specimen named Methuselah, which is now, in the Winter of 2022, 4853 years old. However, there are confirmed dead trees that were over 4,900 years old at time of death, and there is an unconfirmed core age of over 5,000 years.

Tallest
The tallest tree with a confirmed measurement is a living individual of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) discovered in 2006, in Redwood National Park, Humboldt County, California. This tree, Hyperion, stands ~116 m (~380 ft) tall. Exact stated measurements vary by about a foot, perhaps due to the tree continuing to grow. Higher measurements have been made, mostly in the 19th Century, of fallen/felled trees of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) , Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Mountain-ash Gum (Eucalyptus regnans), but these measurements are unconfirmed or in doubt.

Most Massive
The most voluminous and massive tree is a specimen of the Giant Sequoia or Sierra Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in Sequoia National Park, Tulare County, California. This tree, General Sherman is 1,487 cubic m (52,513 cubic ft) and stands 83.8 meters (275 ft) tall.

 

[The Preserver]

Chilean Monkey Puzzle Tree

( Araucaria araucana )

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One of the world's most recognizable trees is also one of the most poorly understood by the general public. As an Araucarian and a mountain tree, this species holds the distinction of being the only member of its entire family that inhabits a temperate climate. Even I have made the error of assuming that since they are listed for "Zone 7," that it means they like the type of warm temperate/bipolar climates characterized by hot and humid summers and cold winters - like the Loblolly Pine ( Pinus taeda ). I have since learned through my research that this is not the case at all. The particular stretch of the Andes where these are native to are known as the Valdivian Temperate Rain Forest - this is South America's answer to North America's Olympic Rain Forest in the State of Washington; as such, they are adapted to living in a climate that is very much like the Pacific Northwest or the British Isles, where it is always wet and the temperature seldom rises into the triple digits nor drops into the single digits. Unlike its relatives, it is not afraid of receiving a nice snow dusting...truly an amazing sight. In their natural habitat, individuals often grow a coat of Spanish Moss like the swamp cypresses do. With its iconic chandelier crown, it creates an effect of superlative visage with a presence that is larger than life - rivaling that of even the Cycads and Baobabs. Its unique visual appeal have made it a favorite subject for paleo artists to insert into their landscape settings featuring dinosaurs. In several well known CG nature films about dinosaurs, this was the species chosen to be digitally rendered into the backgrounds; most of the viewership was unaware about the specifics of the tree's ecology. Although it is the national tree of Chile, it is unfortunately endangered currently. Its sister species, the Brazilian Paraná Pine - which likes it hot, is even more critically endangered in the wild and also needs all the help it can get.

Truly for me, this would have to be my very favorite member of the Araucarian Family. There is nothing not to love about this tree. It's gorgeous - arguably one of the most attractive in its whole family, produces decent lumber, and even has edible nuts. You don't even have to live in a muggy tropical climate to enjoy having one in your yard. This one is a winner here...an Araucarian for the ages. I have always wanted to see the Araucariacea become reestablished in the northern hemisphere, and I think this might just be the one to do it. I think it would be really cool if it were accompanied by the Sciadopitys verticillata at the mass planting sites; it would be the first time that trees of both families grew together in the same forests in 70 million years.

The problem with planting forests of these things in the Pacific Northwest, is that it places them into direct competition with much larger and faster growing trees - there certainly won't be any risk of them becoming an invasive species there. Ireland and the UK would be a small piece of real estate, making it a tight fit for them. I have heard stories of Giant Sequoias growing in parts of mainland Europe, such as Germany, though these were in public places where they undoubtedly received a generous amount of care. If a Sierra Redwood can make it there, then could a Monkey Puzzle also survive there as well? Although the rugged and adaptible Picea abies would be a formidable opponent for it to contend with, I think it would stand a better chance holding its own against those than it would the flora of the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps the temperate rain forests of East Asia would also be worth looking at as a potential future colony? I'm not really sure about its chances alongside such species as the Cryptomeria japonica though?? Being mostly dioecious, both male and female trees are needed to maintain a stable breeding population...and this further complicates the problem.

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/31355/2805113​

 

[The Preserver]

A Trek Through The New Caledonia Jungle

***Warning: Foul Language!***

Any kid who thinks that trees are boring just hasn't seen any pictures of the right kind yet.

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[Larisa]

A unique apple-colony grows in Ukraine. This is one tree. This "apple-colony" has a strange shape, longevity (more than 200 years), annual fruiting and the ability to independently root branches.

The apple tree has long since lost its first mother trunk, but has 15 stems-branches that have grown to the ground. A strange feature of this apple tree is the ability to self-rooting branches.

When one of the trunks rooted to the ground should die, its branches bend down to the ground and give roots.

Gardeners - enthusiasts tried to grow trees from the seeds of this apple tree. But they always get the traditional tree shape.

 

[The Preserver]

I personally don't like the delivery style of CPBBD, but I love watching his videos and would recommend watching them to any hardcore plant enthusiasts. There are actually other videos of his visit to New Caledonia that I didn't include in my last post, including one that begins with an unforgettable introduction showcasing the giant tree fern species Cyathea intermedia. Definitely check out his channel's content if you don't mind hearing lots of four letter words...

CPBBD

 

[The Preserver]

The World's Tallest Palm

Quindío Wax Palm

( Ceroxylon quindiuense )
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The aristocrats of the plant kingdom's tropical sphere are instantly recognized by all who see them when they're not being mistaken for Cycads or Tree Ferns which they superficially resemble with their iconic non-branched, columnar trunks topped with a crown of huge feather-like fronds. Unlike their more ancient counterparts, I have never seen any species possessing bipinnate fronds - a tendency which is almost exclusive to Tree Ferns, with only one or two well known species of acaulescent Cycad, with Cycas debaoensis being most notable for possessing the trait. Although I am not as well read on most of the less impressive Cycads, generally speaking the number of different frond forms and configurations is much more varied within the Arecaceae. Collectively referred to as Palms, trees of the Arecaceae are one of the few types that are beloved even by people who are not plant enthusiasts. People of all walks of life can appreciate their splendour. You could almost think of Palms as being like those haughty "cool" kids who all sit together at the same table in the lunch hall and brag about how their rich parents bought them a new Gucci handbag - except Palms are much more likeable; for one thing, since they're plants they don't make cutting remarks which are usually uncalled for. A lot of people don't know this about Palms, but being a large family which is comprised of well over 2,000 known species, there is at least one or two species of Palm which could be used for any number of specialized purposes, including even timber! Historically, a species in the genus Roystonea has been used for construction material, though it is known to be especially susceptible to termite infestation. Out of all the extant species, only a few are well represented in film and literature - Washingtonia and the Common Coconut to name a couple. As much as I personally love Cycads and Tree Ferns, even I will admit that neither can compare to Palms in the enormous variety of uses they have. Palm trees are synonymous with greatness. Palms are the superlative tropical titans that do it all, and their respect is well deserved for being truly indispensable and transcendingly exceptional trees. As members of the subclade of Angiosperms known as the Monocots, Palm trees are surprisingly relatives of the much more humble corn and wheat plants! Very hard to believe that such exalted forms could be related to anything as lowly and nondescript as grass. Only Bamboo and certain members of Asparagales bear any noticeable physical resemblance to trees of this family. The tendency that Monocots have for being wind pollinated is a little more reminiscent of the Gymnosperms than other flowering plants. Cycads are the complete opposite, and prefer to use insects as pollinators.

I can't think of any better species to be the face of this family than the tallest Palm of all. The Quindío Wax Palm or Colombian Waxwood Palm towers well over 100 feet and exceptionally at 200 feet! As the national tree of Colombia, it prefers really moist and humid conditions, and is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Andes Palm" because it apparently inhabits the highlands of Colombia and Peru. Because of its huge size, it's probably not the best choice for places which are hurricane prone. It is said to be a popular ornamental in California, but it doesn't sound well suited to desert and Mediterranean climates. It is unfortunate that this remarkable Palm is currently listed as Vulnerable...

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/38467/10120959​

 

[Marck]

Some Wax Palms (Ceroxylon spp.) are being grown by palm fanciers and botanical gardens in the fog belt of the northern California coast, but they are not commonly planted.
It's bittersweet to see the palms growing on those grassy slopes in the Andes. It is wonderful that they didn't cut down the palms, but they did remove all the other forest trees around them. Neither the wax palms, nor obviously the rest of the forest species, can effectively reproduce in this altered environment.

 

[The Preserver]

Some Wax Palms (Ceroxylon spp.) are being grown by palm fanciers and botanical gardens in the fog belt of the northern California coast, but they are not commonly planted.
It's bittersweet to see the palms growing on those grassy slopes in the Andes. It is wonderful that they didn't cut down the palms, but they did remove all the other forest trees around them. Neither the wax palms, nor obviously the rest of the forest species, can effectively reproduce in this altered environment.

Hopefully this will one day change with education. I won't hold my breath.

As a little reminder to everyone, please remember to include photos when citing champion trees or anomalous specimens.

 

[The Preserver]

Hildebrandt's Moringa,

or "Silver Pseudo-Baobab"

( Moringa hildebrandtii )

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( Above, A. hildebrandtii [ - to the left -] growing alongside A. drouhardii [ - to the right -] )

Almost everyone has heard of Madagascar and its unique flora and fauna, but ironically this species seems to get very little of the due attention and public interest that it deserves. The small family consisting of only 13 different species also includes some of the most visually spectacular trees to look at as well. Leaves of these trees are typically pinnately compound with entire margins. Some species have taken on the large pachycaul form mimicking the Bottle Trees, as seen here. The monotypic family Moringaceae, containing the genus Moringa, was found to be in the order Brassicales by modern science. Despite the appearance of the featured species shown above, it is not closely related to the more famous trees of the Malvaceae - the Baobabs, with which it shares its natural environment. The Moringa Family as a whole has become one of the most popular in developing countries, and are considered by some to be "the most useful tree." Hildebrandt's Moringa has been tragically said to be extinct in the wild, with a few obscure sources claiming to have found isolated pockets of them still growing in the wilderness of Madagascar's arid Southwest Corner. People the world over should do everything they can to make sure neither this species nor any of the others join the Dodo.

 

[The Preserver]

* Correction - I meant to write "M. hildebrandtii" and "M. drouhardii" in the italicized parentheses.

I guess it just shows how much I associate that section of the Moringas with Adansonia visually.