Image highlight of the current week
In the heart of Europe, a captivating world of towering tree giants awaits photographers. From the ancient forests of Switzerland to the grand gardens of Ireland, these natural wonders provide a rich canvas for those with an eye for beauty.
The location of one such tree, named "Hyperion," remains a secret, safeguarded by the park administration to protect its sensitive soil. Yet, its counterparts across Europe stand proudly, offering a glimpse into the past and a testament to nature's resilience.
In Hamburg, over thirty thousand street trees older than eighty years shape the cityscape, earning it the title of European Green Capital on July 4, 2025. The interplay of modern street scenes and the slowly grown, gnarled trunks creates particularly atmospheric images.
Photographers gather around "Hundred-Year-Olds" in parks and urban avenues, seeking the perfect shot. The mighty silver firs of Dürrüti near Langau in Switzerland reach heights of up to 60 meters, while the tallest naturally grown trees in Europe can be found in the extensive spruce forests of the Emmental.
The contest themed "Giants of the Forest" encourages participants to showcase their best shots of large and impressive trees. Many European tree giants not only impress with their height but also with their age. The "Waldtraut vom Mühlenwald" near Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany, for instance, is the tallest known Douglas fir in the country, standing at over 60 meters.
Popular subjects for photographing large and impressive trees in Europe include redwoods, European white elms, and majestic oaks. The UK now contains many redwoods, sometimes more than their native range, often on historic estates. The Fredville Oak in Fredville Park, Nonington, Kent, is considered one of the largest maiden oak trees in Britain and possibly Europe.
The European white elm, with its loose branch structures and buttressed roots, is a large deciduous tree common in Europe, growing over 30 meters tall. In terms of forest locations, Ruislip Woods in Greater London offers ancient semi-natural woodland with native oaks and hornbeams, preserved from the post-Ice Age Wildwood.
Although not a pure tree species location, Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow, Ireland, are famed for their grandeur and a variety of large trees and ornamental plantings, set against mountainous backdrops, making them a popular photographic subject for large tree and garden photography.
Circular hiking trails, special "tree routes," and digital photo competitions are being created to highlight these natural giants. Europe's tree giants provide inspiration for new photo series throughout the year, with various seasons offering different fascinating motifs. So, grab your camera and embark on a journey to discover Europe's towering tree giants.
[1] Source: https://www.arboricultureonline.com/articles/1041/redwoods-in-the-uk [2] Source: https://www.powerscourt.com/gardens/ [3] Source: https://www.forestryengland.uk/visit/forests/ruislip-woods [4] Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45574704 [5] Source: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/fredville-park/
- Embracing various aspects of life, photography enthusiasts engage with the European scene, capturing not only the towering tree giants in forests but also the lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and travel experiences.
- In the hustle and bustle of cityscapes like Hamburg, the grandeur of centuries-old trees stands as a testament to nature's endurance, transforming urban avenues into captivating subjects for fashionable and atmospheric photography.
- Further exploring Europe's rich cultural heritage, photographers delve into the botanical world, seeking out the old and impressive redwoods, European white elms, and majestic oaks that adorn renowned gardens, such as those found in Powerscourt, Ireland, and former estates throughout the UK.
