Many of us are lucky to have trees of all kinds around us. There are deciduous trees with leaves that change colour in the fall. And there are evergreen trees that stay green all year. You might have seen coniferous trees used as Christmas trees around the holidays.
Trees are some of the oldest living organisms on our planet. They are homes to many arboreal animals. Humans have always relied on trees for all the resources they provide. For example, people use timber to build houses. Early humans depended on twigs to start fires for warmth and protection. The most important thing that trees give us, of course, is oxygen. There are many qualities that make all trees special, but some trees in the world are extra unique.
General Sherman is a giant sequoia. In most groves, there are fewer giant sequoias than other trees. But they are the world's biggest trees by volume, and General Sherman is the biggest of all. This tree is about 2,200 years old, and each year it adds enough wood to make a regular 18m-tall tree!
While General Sherman is the world's biggest tree, the tallest trees are the giant sequoia's cousin: the coast redwoods. The tallest tree in the world is named the Hyperion Tree; it is 115m tall! Scientists won't reveal the exact location of Hyperion, for fear that visitors will damage the tree's delicate root system. Some redwoods are so large that cars can drive through the base!
The silk cotton trees at the temple of Ta Prohm in Cambodia are a great demonstration of nature's power. Centuries after the temple was abandoned, the trees in the area began reclaiming the space. Now, these powerful trees have grown and shaped around the abandoned human structures.
Bonsai trees have been around for thousands of years. They can even be thought of as an art form. The bonsai tree is grown in a small tray or pot. It is cut on a regular basis to keep its size and shape. Bonsai trees can live for a long time, even longer than humans.
In British Columbia, Canada, there are many old-growth rainforests. These forests do not get really hot or really cold. This area also gets a lot of rain. These ancient forests are filled with life. Bears, squirrels, coyotes, and many more types of animals live here. You won't see the Vancouver Island Marmot anywhere else, because it is endemic to British Columbia.
Canada is also famous for its maple trees. Maple trees naturally secrete sweet sap. The sap is usually gathered around February to March, but it's not ready to be consumed yet. The collected sap has to be boiled down first. This process allows the sap to be more concentrated, which makes it sweeter.
There are sacred groves in different countries. These groves are believed to be homes of gods and goddesses. Stories, myths, and legends have been passed down for centuries outlining the consequences of a cut tree. It's said that there will be severe penalties if a tree falls in these groves.
Trees can get sick too, just like humans. Arborists can maintain and care for these trees. They know how to keep the trees safe and healthy. Arborists can also care for saplings and ensure they grow into big, strong trees. If you're interested in studying trees, you can consider going into dendrology.
It’s hard not to be awed by the majesty and power of trees. Many of them are living history, and have been around for far longer than the communities that surround them today. It’s a shame that we are losing our forests and trees quickly every day. We need to cherish these trees before they disappear forever.