Weirdest trees in the world: Discover nature's wackiest tree wonders

From a tree that grows underground to a tree that walks, there's a plethora of weird trees out there. Here are our favourites...

Weirdest trees in the world

Walking tree

Yes you have heard that right - there is one enduring story out there about a ‘walking tree’. It concerns a tropical American palm named Socratea exorrhiza, whose trunk is raised off the ground on a cluster of stilt-like roots. It is said to be able to haul itself out of the shade and into sunnier spots by growing more roots on one side and losing them on the other.

However, says Stuart Blackman, evidence, hasn’t been forthcoming.

Underground tree

Ever heard of trees that grow underground? In 2023, Kew’s Dr David Goyder discovered two new species of underground trees during a National Geographic Expeditions survey of Angola.

One of the species was named Baphia arenicola (‘growing on sand’) and the other Cochlospermum adjanyae (‘Adjany’s Cochlospermum’). A number of tree species from several families have evolved in the region, with some growing more than 90 per cent underground.

Poisonous tree

This dubious honour of the world's most poisonous tree must go to the manchineel tree Hippomane mancinella, found in brackish habitats in northern South America, the Caribbean and Florida.

It bears an apple-like fruit, which, along with its sap, contains an eye-poppingly strong poison that can cause severe blisters if it makes contact with human skin.

It's so poisonous that the trees carry warning signs

The dragon blood tree

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Why the strange name? If cut, the bark ‘bleeds’ a reddish resin, which has long been tapped and dried for sale as a medicine or dye. According to legend, the trees grow where blood was spilled during a titanic battle between an elephant and dragon

Dragon’s blood is harmless, and therefore safe for a wide variety of uses, including cosmetics and medicine. The Romans smeared it on gladiators, both as decoration and as a disinfectant (less glamorously it’s said to cure haemorrhoids). It was also employed later in the finishing stages
of violin making – craftsman Antonio Stradivari is thought to have used dragon’s blood lacquer.

We named the dragon tree one of the world's weirdest trees

Oldest tree

It is estimated that the oldest tree in the world, a bristlecone pine tree called Methuselah located in the White Mountains of California, is around 4,800 to 5,000 years old - and it's still going

It was given the name of the biblical patriarch Methuselah, who allegedly lived more than 900 years.

Upside-down tree

Baobabs are one of the world's most remarkable trees.

Their appearance alone is astonishing enough – huge, bulging trunks with root-like crowns, it's easy to see why they are also known as 'upside-down trees'.

Baobabs are part of a genus of tree with distinctive swollen trunks that store water to endure harsh droughts. They can reach enormous sizes and have long lifespans, with some specimens living thousands of years.

The trees play a vital ecological role, providing shelter, food and water for various animals, including humans.

Tallest tree

Step into the enchanting realm of Redwood National Park, where colossal trees reach skyward in a majestic display of nature's grandeur. The towering redwoods create a cathedral-like atmosphere, their ancient presence weaving a timeless tale of resilience and magnificence. Wander through this living forest, where every rustle of leaves whispers the secrets of centuries past and the embrace of these giants transcends the boundaries of time.

Did you know the tallest tree species in the world can grow to more than 100 metres?

Often referred to as the blue whales of the plant world, coastal redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, able to exceed more than 100m in height. Equally impressive is their longevity, with many trees reaching their 1,000th birthday. The oldest known redwood is thought to be an eye-popping 2,200 years old.

The tallest redwood, a roughly 600-year-old specimen known as Hyperion, is located in Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt County (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Located on a steep, remote slope, it commands the landscape from a height of nearly 116m.

Discover some more weird species from the natural world

Weirdest trees in the world: Discover nature's wackiest tree wonders