Results: The Heart of Nature

General Sherman: Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California - Roughly 2,000 years old. It might possibly be the most famous tree in the world. While the age of the tree is impressive, it is actually the size that brings it fame. It is 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter (and still growing) making it the largest tree in the world. Thousands visit this park every year (or did before the virus). Fences keep visitors from trampling on the shallow roots. Have you visited Sequoia National Park?

Ashbrittle Yew: Church of St. John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, United Kingdom, Roughly 4,000 Years ld. This yew tree is supposedly the oldest living thing in England, meaning it was already mature when Stonehenge was under construction. This 38 foot wide tree sits next to a Christian church, and as the story goes, is located on a battlefield where the Romans and Celts fought. After the battle, the heads of dead Roman soldiers were buried under the tree along with the body of a local chieftain. The Druids saw yew trees as a symbol of life and death, believing the trees possessed immortal souls. Are you familiar with this huge tree in the UK?

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka - 2,247 years old. Usually, a tree's age is identified through carbon dating or by counting the growth rings. This tree is unique in that there is a written record about when, why, and who planted it. This ancient fig tree is in the temple courtyard of a royal park. According to historians, King Devanampiya Tissa planted it during a great ceremony in 236 B.C. The sapling he planted supposedly came from a tree the Buddha sat under when he achieved an enlightened state. As the story goes, Queen Thishyarakkha destroyed the original tree, viewing it as an affront to her own religion. Saplings grew from the hewn tree and the king managed to save one, which grew into the tree of today. Buddha's followers have protected the tree several times, even resorting to lighting fires near its base to keep elephants from devouring the leaves. It is still a sacred site for Buddhists, who come from all over the world to pray for healing, ample rice harvests, and safe births. Have you visited Sri Lanka?

The Major Oak: Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom - Between 800-1,000 years old. This tree is said to have once sheltered the legendary Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. (Whether that's actually true is up for debate.) It is estimated to weigh over 50,000 pounds with a width of nearly 100 feet. The tree got its name after making an appearance in a book written by Major Heyman Rooke in 1790. After the book made its debut, people started calling the tree The Major's Oak, which was later shortened to Major Oak. To help preserve the tree's delicate ecosystem, caretakers erected fences to prevent visitors from compacting the soil and reducing the air space surrounding the roots. If you are planning to visit, be sure to check out the Major Oak Woodland and Robin Hood Festivals. Have you visited this site?

Boab Prison Tree: Derby, Australia - 1,500 years old. This tree was an important cultural site for native Aborigines. There is debate, however, as to what they actually used it for. Some say it served as a pilgrimage site or meeting place for gatherings. The tree has a hollow, bulbous trunk that is over 45 feet in width and an opening in the middle that allows entrance. It earned the nickname "prison tree" due to stories of Aborigines held captive inside as they awaited prison transfers. Researchers interviewed by "ABC News" in Australia maintain there is no evidence this tree served as a prison, although other trees in the region did. The discovery of bones in the tree also highlights its significance as an Aboriginal burial site. Have you visited Australia?