Monumental tree species

Not all tree species have the potential to grow to monumental sizes. Those that do only establish themselves well when the environment is appropriate, both naturally (good climatic conditions and growing locations) and culturally (men have to allow the trees to grow to big sizes).

Giant sequoia

Giant sequoia trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum), native to the Californian Sierra Nevada mountain range, are the biggest trees on the planet, specimens of this species having the largest trunk wood volume.
More...

Pedunculate oak

The English oak or the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), native to the most of Europe and to Asia Minor to the Caucasus, and also to parts of North Africa, belongs to the largest European tree species. These majestic trees - often having a role in local folklore or mythology - are also one of the most long-lived decideous trees in the world.
More...

Bald cypress

Bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum), native to the American Southeast coastal swamps, are the biggest trees in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, together with the Southern Live Oak.
More...

Southern live oak

Southern live oaks (Quercus virginiana), native to the American Southwest plains, are the biggest trees in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, together with the bald cypress. Live Oak trees are typically associated with the southern feel of the "Old South", often depicted with Spanish moss hanging on its branches.
More...

Dawn redwood

The dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), native to central China, is one the three sequoia tree species and is worldwide massively cultivated as on ornamental tree, since the species' discovery in 1948.
More...

European beech

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica), native to most of Europe, is very common in European parks and forests.
More...

Sweet chestnut

The sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) is a Southeastern European tree spread over Europe by the Romans, often reaching big sizes in more rural or rugged areas.
More...

Lebanon cedar

The Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani) is a conifer that originates from, as its name might suggest, Lebanon and surrounding areas in the Middle East. Original old growth groves of this tree, that is mentioned in the Bible, are now very rare. This tree can live for thousands of years and became a popular exotic specimen tree in European landscape gardens in the 18th, 19th century.
More...

Yew

The European yew (Taxus baccata) a European tree being able to grow for thousands of years. The tree is often planted near graveyards in Celtic areas (Brittany, England) allowing to reach old age, and is often used in horticulture.
More...

London plane

The London plane (Platanus × hispanica) is usually thought to be a hybrid of the Oriental Plane, (P. orientalis), with the American Plane (American sycamore) and is very common as a European city tree.
More...

Coast redwood

Coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens), native to the American pacific Northwest coast, are the world's tallest trees.

Hyperion, the world's tallest tree
More...

Ginkgo

The ginkgo or maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) is a unique species of tree with no close living relatives and is one of the best-known examples of a living fossil.
More...