The world is under stress these days, and we can always count on the trees to bring us a little bit of calm in this global storm. We try to tell the story of important trees in our guidebooks because they are a part of our everyday lives and our history. We must give them the respect they deserve. So for Earth Day, here are some of our favorite trees from 111 Places guidebooks for Canada, the US, and the UK!
Leaning Tree of Nita Lake - Whistler, BC, Canada
This beautiful tree is even more amazing because its growing out of a rock. As a seedling, it took root in the fissure of a big rock and started growing sideways. Eventually it started growing upwards, and now it towers over the Sea to Sky Highway. Read its story in 111 Places in Whistler That You Must Not Miss by Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies, who also wrote our guide to Vancouver, BC.
The Earliest Cherry Trees
Most people know and love the cherry trees around Washington DC's Tidal Basin. However, the earliest cherry trees in the city are these grand dames along the East Potomac Golf Course. 111 Places in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss, by Andréa Seiger, photos by John Dean
The Alley Pond Giant
Meet the oldest living multi-celled organism in New York City: The Alley Pond Giant. This tuliptree has been around for over 400 years and has lived through the city's history from its first European settlers! 111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss by Joe DiStefano, photos by Clay Williams
Nellie's Tree
Around 1920, a local man in Leeds grafted three beech trees to woo his lady love Nellie with her first initial. To this day, these trees make for a popular place for romantic engagements. 111 Places in Leeds That You Shouldn't Miss by Kim Revill, photos by Alex Compton
Al Capone's Cherry Tree
We all know Capone was no sweetheart, but when he came out of Alcatraz suffering from late-stage syphilis, he received treatment at Baltimore's Union Memorial Hospital. To thank them for their care, he gave the hospital two weeping cherry trees. One still stands and blooms beautifully every spring, but few people know its origin story. 111 Places in Baltimore That You Must Not Miss, by Allison Robicelli, photos by John Dean
The Great Holker Lime This massive, 400-year-old tree in Cark-in-Cartmel in England's Lake District is truly young at heart. It's not a fruit-bearing species, but every June, it still fills the air with its lovely fragrance. For obvious reasons, it was selected by Britain's Tree Council as one of the Top 50 Great Trees in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 111 Places in the Lake District That You Must Not Miss, by Solange Berchemin
Happy Earth Day! 111 Places UK Guides to the UK 111 Places Guides to the US and Canada