Summer is the season of road trips, family hikes, and stopping mid-trail to say, “Wait… that tree is HOW old?”
Even if your travel plans are staying local this year, there’s still something magical about giant, ancient trees. They’ve been here long before us, and with a bit of care, they’ll be here long after.
So, pack some snacks, lace up your metaphorical hiking shoes, and get ready for a little tree tourism– no sunscreen required!
1. The Cottonwood at Freedom Park
📍 Charlotte, North Carolina
You don’t need to drive cross-country to find a tree worth admiring. Charlotte’s public parks are home to mature, beloved trees, like this massive cottonwood near the lake at Freedom Park. It’s a local favorite for shade, photos, and lazy summer days.
💬 Fun fact: You can explore our canopy with Tree by Tree to find a special tree near you. Or plant one of your own (we’ll help with that too — see below).
Cottonwood–Freedom Park along Little Sugar Creek Greenway
2. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
📍 Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
This protected patch of old-growth forest is home to some of the largest trees in the eastern U.S., including tulip poplars over 100 feet tall and up to 20 feet around.
💬 Fun fact: The forest is named after the poet who wrote, “I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree.”
Image from www.hikenc.info
National Forests in North Carolina | Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest | Forest Service
3. General Sherman Tree
Now that we’ve marveled at the giants in our own backyard, let’s head west to meet some of the most legendary trees on the planet.
📍 Sequoia National Park, California
This giant sequoia is the largest known living tree on Earth by volume. It stands 275 feet tall and weighs about 2.7 million pounds.
💬 Fun fact: It’s not the tallest nor the widest, but it is the biggest all-around and draws thousands of visitors every year.
Image from the National Park Service
4. Methuselah Tree
📍 Inyo National Forest, California
This ancient bristlecone pine is estimated to be over 4,800 years old. That’s older than the pyramids, the alphabet, and basically everything else.
💬 The exact location is kept secret to protect it, but the surrounding grove is open to respectful hikers.
5. Angel Oak Tree
After taking in the towering giants of the West, we’re heading back east to explore some Southern icons that are just as stunning and a whole lot closer to home.
📍 Charleston, South Carolina
Just a short drive from Charlotte, this legendary Southern live oak spreads its limbs more than 180 feet across. Estimated to be 400–500 years old.
💬 Fun fact: It’s free to visit and offers some of the best shade in South Carolina. Perfect pit-stop if you’re headed to the coast.
6. Congaree National Park
📍 Near Columbia, South Carolina
A hidden gem, Congaree’s champion trees include some of the tallest deciduous trees east of the Mississippi. Bonus: The boardwalk trail makes it easy for all ages.
💬 Fun fact: Yes, we have our own “redwoods” right here in the Southeast.
7. Three Sisters Swamp, Black River
📍 Bladen County, North Carolina
Hidden deep in the swamps of the Black River is a grove of bald cypress trees that have been quietly growing for thousands of years. Literally! Scientists have dated some of them to over 2,600 years old, making them the oldest known trees in eastern North America.
💬 It’s remote, wild, and might require a kayak to go see, but standing near a tree that’s older than the Roman Empire? Worth it.
8. Your Own Backyard (Yes, Really)
📍 Charlotte, North Carolina
Some of the most important trees you’ll ever see are the ones you plant yourself. They might not be 4,000 years old (yet), but they’ll shape your neighborhood, your shade, and your story.
💬 Fun fact: Don’t have one yet? We’ll plant one for you — FOR FREE!
👉 Sign up here to get your free tree and start growing your own tree legend.
Keep the Wonder Going
Whether you’re road-tripping across the country or wandering through your local park, take time to look up, pause, and appreciate what these trees have weathered.
They’ve seen centuries come and go.
They’ve shaded generations.
They’ve stood tall through storms, and they’re still growing.
Let them inspire you to grow something lasting, too.
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