Many of you from various parts of the planet were inspired to submit photos of your favourite trees, and it was a joy to see them all.

We love our trees don’t we? And we love photographing them. No fewer than 29 of you submitted your photos of trees for Nature Photo Challenge #12: Trees. That’s the highest number so far.

First, a warm welcome to bloggers who participated in this challenge for the first time. Thanks for joining in with the fun, and we look forward to seeing your photos for future nature photo challenges:

• Carol from Light Words gave us some gorgeous pictures of trees from around San Francisco Bay such as eucalyptus, redwood, oak and cedar, and how they were affected by recent storms.
• LadyLee from LadyLeeManila introduced us to some trees of the Philippines and beyond, including some majestic pines and attractive palms.
• Ritva from Ritva Sillanmäki Photography linked to signs of spring among the trees (and flowers) of Finland.
• Cath from Cath’s Camera shared some of the many magnificent trees on her property.

Now onto the regulars:

• First up was Jacques (Facebook link) with his atmospheric tree of justice from Melin, ranked among the most beautiful villages in Wallonia, Belgium.
• PR took us to Germany to see the beautiful flowering chestnuts in Heidelberg, a redwood in Bonn, the unusual plane trees along the Rhine, and other glorious trees.
• Then it was over to the Philippines where Nes Felicio showed us the beauty of trees along the coast “swept and hardened by the salty wind. Anchored to the shore”.
• Toby gave us what must be the world’s biggest bougainvillea, a brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet Tree!) in California, some gorgeous fall colors from Minnesota, and a captivating story of the family’s crab apple tree that unfortunately didn’t survive a recent snow storm.
• Our first trees from Australia were submitted by Brian, who showed the amazing variety of trees in his locality: apple gums, ironbarks, bottle trees, figs, grass trees, and jacarandas.
• Sarah worked wonders with her post of trees from many places around the world that she has visited. And each section starts with an insightful quote about trees. Well worth an in-depth peruse.
• Our first blossoming cherry tree came from Archer, and what a beauty it is.
• Have you really looked at a tree? Taken time to study it? I.J. has, and it’s an inspiring lesson.
• You can’t beat sitting under an ancient tree, can you, and Sofia introduces us to four such trees I would be happy to sit under and meditate for a while.
• Geriatri”X” introduced us to the oldest Cedar of Lebanon in Germany. It might date back to 1720. That’s a lot of memories stored up in her trunk!
• Remember in The Sound of Music when Julie Andrews sings “My Favorite Things”. Now you can sing along with Dawn as her post is “a few of My Favorite Trees!”
• I was hoping Aletta would share some photos, as I was interested to see what trees are local to the west coast of South Africa. Now I know at least some of them.
• Over to Oregon with Cee for some beautiful giant sequoias, black walnuts, Douglas firs, and some peach trees I wouldn’t mind picking fruit from.
• Maria once more comes up with pure inspiration, with some delightful, aesthetically pleasing shots.
• I love trees and I love sunsets, so Judy‘s post was simply magical!
• “Summer trees, some are not!” quipped Marilyn, who showed us how quickly forest trees burst into leaf in early spring.
• You’d imagine that a blog called Nut House Central would come up with the goods, and Kammie certainly did, especially with her monochrome of individual trees standing on the coastline.
• On Vancouver Island, Audrey focused on the Garry Oak, birch and maples.
• Rebecca visited her local arboretum to capture the remnants of magnolias and the magnificence of the newly blossoming crabapples.
• I didn’t know jacarandas could be so purple, but thanks to Terri‘s photos I now do.
• For some magnificent and ancient Redwoods, check out Woolly‘s post.
• “Are these the oldest trees in this week’s cache?” asks Margaret. It would be difficult to argue against it, considering there’s an oak near her that may date back to the 11th century!
• Kathleen Jennette on the other hand introduced us to a mere teenager with just 200 years on the clock!
• Philo gave us something to ponder: what do we think about when we see a fallen tree? It’s a good question, and relevant these days when so many trees are being uprooted, for natural or man-made reasons.
• For the interplay of light and shadows, check out Pepper‘s post from the Indiana Dunes National Park.

I think that’s everyone! If I have missed you out, my apologies: please let me know.

How are you getting on with Nature Photo Challenge #13: Butterflies?

And if you live in the UK and want to support trees, here’s a simple way to do it by casting a vote for the Children’s Forest.