My Top Ten Favorite Trees

I love trees. They are simply the most fantastic things to grace our Earth. Their majesty is mind-boggling. They start from the smallest seed and rise to become a giant of nature. They are the most recognizable part of the world. Anywhere green, probably has trees. They are the staple that offer me some solace. Their stagnant stance forever upright. From the Jacob to the Sequoia, they are unbelievable. But, what are the best trees? Well, I have my pick, of ten, so lets get into it.

The Oak Tree:

The oak tree is one that can be found virtually all over the world. This type of tree has a distinct build that has grown to be an icon for trees in pop culture. Oak trees have relatively thick trunks and branch out at a short height. There are many sub-species of oak as well, as it is one of the largest family in the world, such as red versus white oaks, which are characterized by their different leaf shapes. Oaks drop acorns as their fruit and seed. They are native to North America, however their adaptable nature allows them to grow most places. Overall, oaks are a staple in history such as Roman, and though they are well known, have secured their place in my favorite trees, due to their wonderful shapes and iconic place in culture.

The Weeping Willow:

This is another iconic tree. Known for its perfect, almost poetic look. Weeping willows have the archetypal long flowy branches riddled with small leaves. It is a deciduous tree and are pretty short lived, not doing well after around 30 years. It bears fruit that resembles little brown capsules. They are native to Asia but grown many places around the world. Just like the oak, they were a staple in ancient culture, such as Ancient Greek. Weeping Willows just are beautiful, wonderful, mystical, and mysterious trees, there is something wonderous about them and that is why I give them #9.

The Olive Tree:

Olive trees, a dominant part of Mediterranean Culture. They're hardiness, fruitfulness, and beauty have made them popular around the world. They grow to a height between 3 to 12 meters, bear leathery, dark green leaves, and have a wood that doesn't rot easily. In addition, because of their natural habitat along the Mediterranean, they are well adapted to rocky, dry soil. The olive branch also represents a sign of peace. In the U.S. seal, for instance, the bald eagle holds the branch to represent, well, peace. Olive trees have a beautiful root system as well, again due to the rocks they have to grow around. Overall, the cultural importance of olive trees, along with the beauty of them, puts them firmly in my #8 spot.

The Rainbow Eucalyptus:

Native to Philippines, these trees have distinct orange bark that flakes off to reveal other colors. This uneven flaking creates a collage of tones easily recognizable in the archipelago forests of the Philippines. The trees grow quickly, reaching heights around 75 meters at maximum. They are grown in large farms because of their pulpwood made to use paper. They grow pale pods which flow then growing into fruits that are woody and contain a few seeds in each. The trees are not quite the interesting in shape, however, their beautiful bark makes up for that. Overall, these trees may not have a huge known history in culture, but the stunning hues that grace their trunks brings them solidly to the #7 spot.

The Blue Spruce:

These are another common tree that may not be known as exotic or mystifying, but their traits make them one of my favorites. These trees are also known as the Colorado Spruce and are native to North America. They are a part of the pine family and therefore have very small flowers. Their cones are the fruit, while, of course, the needles are the leaves. They have a distinct pine smell and a blue hue. As with most pines, blue spruces is a hardy tree and can survive cold climates well. I really love these spruces which add a winter-y vibe to any place. This along with their distinct smell and overall beauty place put Blue Spruces into my #6 spot.

The Giant Sequoia:

Alright, c'mon, you knew I had to mention these trees. These are the giants of the west coast. The largest trees in the world, actually. The trees have an interesting and fire resistant bark that protects them in the event of the very common forest fires that occur in California. They are pine and therefore produce pinecones to fruit. The trees are sometimes harvested however the wood is relatively brittle, making it just less efficient to use. Most groves now are under federal or local governmental protection. These trees are incredibly large and steady, creating majestic vistas. These characteristics put it in the #5 spot.

The American Sycamore:

Sycamores, the flaky trees that always stand alone. These trees are huge. Ok, maybe not as huge as the former tree, but still incredibly large. They are common in the East Coast and Midwest of the U.S. Sycamores thrive on large amounts of water and often grow well in lowlands which offer a perfect drainage for rainwater to water the trees. These trees also have very distinct bark that flakes off revealing a myriad of shades of brown. The leaves also have a velvet-y texture that frankly, in my opinion, feels a little odd. But besides that, these trees typically grow to 40 meters at maximum. The beauty and scale of these trees is frankly awe-inspiring and allows me to put them in my #4 spot.

The Mangrove:

For the second spot to the top, I selected mangrove trees. I love these trees. They just look so cool. But anyways, back to the article. Mangrove trees are known for their distinct root structures. These trees do well in harsh coastal climates and do well at stopping erosion from tsunamis. The trees are native to many coastal and tropical climates around the world. Since they grow in salt water, they have to cleverly intake salt, and it will collect in their leaves. Mangroves also filter the water well through their roots, filtering out sodium ion from the water. Because of these benefits, mangrove restoration is popular in many countries. I love mangroves and for good reason, coastal areas benefit extensively from them and their ecological ambience is almost magical. These reasons are why I picked it for my #3 spot.

The Birch Tree:

Birch trees are wonderful. They have the light bark combined makes a happy, light atmosphere. They have colorful leaves in the fall that combine with the light bark that create beautiful landscapes. Dang. Just like before, I'm getting off track. Alright, alright. Birch trees have very thin leaves and very light flaky bark. They are found all over upper North America and are spread around most of Eurasia. This is due to the fact that they thrive in colder, boreal environments. Birches are related to alders and have some medicinal properties even approved by the E.U. They also have a cultural impact in many parts of the world. For example, in Finland it is common practice to whack oneself with birch branches (vihta) in the sauna. In a shortened version, I love birch trees because of their beauty and influence, placing them well into spot #2.

The Baobab:

The final tree. My favorite tree. The baobab tree. Their beautiful trunks and high risen flat tops. I absolutely love baobab trees. Baobabs grow in Madagascar and over some very dry parts of Africa. Much African Folklore is centered around these trees, and their fruits are very nutritious. You can even eat their young leaves. Local cultures and peoples use the trees in many ways, such as their fibrous bark and it's rope making potential. These trees have an immense cultural importance and usability. Sadly, climate change is hurting their population, and killing many of the largest ones. This is being helped however and there are ways to deal with that. But besides that, to recap, I love the beautiful baobabs and their tall, immense majesty that produces so many important resources. They are the most deserving tree on this list, and the one that rightfully takes my #1 spot.

Conclusion:

The skyscrapers of nature, the pillars of the world, the forever standing guards of our ecosystem. Trees. They rise from the ground to touch the sky. They outlive empires. They create those empires. Trees to me, are the only constant in our hectic, bustling world. And those trees, were my favorite ten. Thank you.