Strangest trees from around the world

Published Thursday 29th January 2015

In this country, trees are seen as something to attach a swing to, use for shade or build with.

While we deal with turning trees into timber for slightly bigger projects than a tree house, there are some amazing examples of trees that boast amazing features and attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

Expand your botanic knowledge and read through our guide to some of the strangest trees from around the world.

10.) Rainbow Eucalyptus

Native to the Philippines, this tree boasts an almost psychedelic exterior thanks to its multi-coloured layers of bark.

The irregular pattern of which it shades its bark means that the different stages and colours of it’s exposure are on display from green – blue – purple – orange and then finally to brown.

Despite its aesthetic appeal, the tree is cultivated for paper manufactures and not for decorative purposes.

9.) Bottle tree

Located in Namibia and described as one of the most deadliest trees on Earth, the bottle trees gathers its name from an obvious appearance but is not to be underestimated.

The milky sap that can be gathered from the tree is extremely poisonous and was used as arrow poison by Bushmen in the past.

Flowers that blossom from the tree are pink and white colours, with a red centre – so at least it looks nice!

8.) Crooked Forest of Gryfino

In a remote forest located near the town of Gryfino, West Poland, are 400 oddly shaped trees.

Thought to have been curved from mechanical intervention, the purpose of these trees is not known. Many have speculated that they would have been used for bentwood furniture or even ribs for boat hulls.

The outbreak of World War II in Poland in 1939, however, meant whoever was growing them had to stop and thus they became one of history's great arboreal mysteries.

7.) Boab prison tree

Outside the town of West Derby in Western Australia, there sits a large Boab tree that has been cut into a small holding cell.

The tree was used as a temporary holding destination for prisoners overnight before they were taken to their destination.

Dating back over 1,500 years, the Boab Prison Tree attracts thousands of tourists, many of whom can’t resist a look around inside!

6.) Silk Cotton tree

Draped over the ancient Taprohm temples of Cambodia, the branches of the silk cotton trees were allowed to grow over centuries to create a wonderful natural masterpiece.

The temples have now been restored and the area is accessible to tourists who want to see the structures, which have been there since the 12th century.

5.) Dragon’s Blood tree

In the Canary Islands of north-west Africa, there is a type of tree that holds a mysterious and legendary past.

On the island of Tenerife, local legend has it that once a dragon dies, it becomes a tree, leading to these specimens becoming considered as living fossils in folklore.

Standing at 50 feet tall, the impressive Dragon’s Blood tree gets it’s name from the red sap that can be obtained from the bark once cut. This was once used for the mummification process by the Guanche people of the island for centuries, but has now found its use in dye and medicine.

4.) Sunland Boab tree

Standing at a whopping 72 feet high and 155 feet circumference, the Sunland Boab tree located in Modjadjiskloof, South Africa, is simply one of the most impressive trees in the world.

Naturally hollow inside, a small bar was set up inside the tree in 1933 which initially held up to 15-20, but now can host up to 60 people.

The tallest and widest boab in South Africa, the tree dates back over 6,000 years!

3.) Wawana tree

Yosemite National Park in Mariposa, USA, was once home to an incredible tree structure that was converted into a tunnel.

Technically a ‘Coast Redwood’ tree, the 227 feet-tall spectacular was given the name Wawana because of the Native American’s decision to name it after the hoot of an owl, known as a spirit guardian in their culture.

Unfortunately, the tree fell in 1969 due to heavy snow that gathered on the top, but it has become an ecosystem for animals, plants and insects and is now known as the ‘Fallen Tunnel tree’.

2.) Tree of Life

One of the most mysterious trees in world is located in the desert outskirts of Bahrain and is simply known as ‘The Tree of Life’.

The Prosopis Cinernaria has extremely deep root systems, which allow it to survive, but its remote location makes it something of a mystery as to how it actually gathers water.

The tree is a major tourist attraction that brings in over 50,000 visitors a year and many locals even believe that it was part of the actual Garden of Eden.

1.) Wollemi Pine Tree

Having only been discovered in 1994, the Wollemi Pine tree species located in the Blue Mountains of Sydney, Australia, stands at number #1 in our list because it dates back to over 200 million years!

Experts are convinced that this plant would have lived amongst dinosaurs and is considered a living fossil. Although quite an impressive sight, the trees are critically endangered and the location of the last 100 that exist out in the wild has not been made public.

Botany specialists and researchers have stressed the importance of preserving the plant’s species fossils, allowing historians and scientists to uncover new insights into the Earth’s past.

Have you ever seen one of these in the flesh or have any interesting trees around your area? Tweet us at @IntlTimber - we always love to hear what you have to say.

Whilst we don’t stock ‘Dragon’s blood’ or multi-coloured bark, don't miss out on our diverse range of other wood this winter -

And for any other timber-related enquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

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