'Dragon Blood' And Other Awesome Trees For Arbor Day

Buddha reached enlightenment under a tree. Cinnamon comes from trees — as do apples and latex and frankincense, not to mention the oxygen we breathe. As Shel Silverstein reminds us, they're just about the most selfless things.

But still, Arbor Day never seems to get much love. (I mean, think about how nuts we go for other holidays.)

We can actually thank Nebraska for this day. According to Encyclopedia Britannica:

"It was first proposed in the 19th century by J. Sterling Morton ... the editor of a Nebraska newspaper, [who] often wrote acgricultural articles and shred his passion for trees with his readers. There were relatively few trees in the state at the time, and for several years Morton proposed such a holiday to encourage his fellow Nebraskans to plant trees."

The holiday has since been adopted by many states and is most commonly observed on the last Friday of April. (Though, technically, it's possible that today is not Arbor Day in your state, so double check!)

Now, without much further ado, a photo homage to awesome trees:

1 of 14  — The Tule tree is a Montezuma cypress in Oaxaca, Mexico. It has the stoutest trunk of any tree in the world and is on the UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites. According to UNESCO, "the ancient indigenous population considered this tree as sacred," which is why it's also nicknamed the "tree of life."

The Tule tree is a Montezuma cypress in Oaxaca, Mexico. It has the stoutest trunk of any tree in the world and is on the UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites. According to UNESCO, "the ancient indigenous population considered this tree as sacred," which is why it's also nicknamed the "tree of life."

/ Getty Images

2 of 14  — There's another "tree of life." This one is a mesquite tree located in Bahrain.

There's another "tree of life." This one is a mesquite tree located in Bahrain.

Adam Jan / AFP/Getty Images

3 of 14  — Who doesn't love baobabs? They're just awesome. This one is lit up in South Africa, 2011.

Who doesn't love baobabs? They're just awesome. This one is lit up in South Africa, 2011.

Alexander Joe / AFP/Getty Images

4 of 14  — More baobabs, these in Madagascar, because they really are the coolest. The "Avenue of the Baobabs" was designated as a protected zone in 2007.

More baobabs, these in Madagascar, because they really are the coolest. The "Avenue of the Baobabs" was designated as a protected zone in 2007.

Aline Ranaivoson / AFP/Getty Images

5 of 14  — The Yemeni island of Socotra is historically famous for its unique and spectacular vegetation; botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the 10 most endangered island flora in the world. The dragon blood tree is unique to the island.

The Yemeni island of Socotra is historically famous for its unique and spectacular vegetation; botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the 10 most endangered island flora in the world. The dragon blood tree is unique to the island.

Khaled Fazaa / AFP/Getty Images

6 of 14  — One of the most iconic features of the ruins of Ta Phrom in Angkor, Cambodia, is the trees growing through the structures.

One of the most iconic features of the ruins of Ta Phrom in Angkor, Cambodia, is the trees growing through the structures.

David Greedy / Getty Images

7 of 14  — Redwood trees, like the General Grant giant sequoia, native to California's Sierra Nevada, are the world's largest by volume — reaching heights of more than 300 feet. The oldest known giant sequoia based on its ring count is 3,500 years old.

Redwood trees, like the General Grant giant sequoia, native to California's Sierra Nevada, are the world's largest by volume — reaching heights of more than 300 feet. The oldest known giant sequoia based on its ring count is 3,500 years old.

Mark Ralston / AFP/Getty Images

8 of 14  — Some redwoods in California are large enough to drive through. That's neat.

Some redwoods in California are large enough to drive through. That's neat.

Three Lions / Getty Images

9 of 14  — Don't forget the little trees. The Japanese art of bonsai, using miniature trees grown in containers, has equivalents in other cultures. Here, two women look at bonsai trees in Sri Lanka.

Don't forget the little trees. The Japanese art of bonsai, using miniature trees grown in containers, has equivalents in other cultures. Here, two women look at bonsai trees in Sri Lanka.

Sanka Vidanagama / AFP/Getty Images

10 of 14  — Of course we have to acknowledge the Major Oak of Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest, near Edwinstowe, England.

Of course we have to acknowledge the Major Oak of Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest, near Edwinstowe, England.

Three Lions / Getty Images

11 of 14  — Eucalyptus trees, 'cause, duh: koalas.

Eucalyptus trees, 'cause, duh: koalas.

Torsten Blackwood / AFP/Getty Images

12 of 14  — Axel Erlandson was a Swedish-American farmer known for his "Tree Circus," in which he grafted and shaped trees into unusual shapes.

Axel Erlandson was a Swedish-American farmer known for his "Tree Circus," in which he grafted and shaped trees into unusual shapes.

Robert Lackenbach / Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

13 of 14  — The ancient bristlecone pine trees are thought to be the oldest in the world. The Methuselah in California, more than 4,800 years old, is considered the oldest, named after the Biblical figure with the longest lifespan.

The ancient bristlecone pine trees are thought to be the oldest in the world. The Methuselah in California, more than 4,800 years old, is considered the oldest, named after the Biblical figure with the longest lifespan.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images

14 of 14  — The sacred fig at the Maha Bodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, India, is believed to be the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

The sacred fig at the Maha Bodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, India, is believed to be the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

Vikram Kumar / AP

Now what did I leave out? What's your favorite tree? (Maybe go give it a hug.)

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