Trees that seem alive
Walk through a wood slowly enough and you’ll start to notice a knot that looks like an eye, a fissure that curves like a mouth, or a bit of bark that seems to be mid-sentence. Trees are, of course, alive in their own quiet way, but some of them seem to have personalities too.
This photo gallery is a collection of the trees with faces that I’ve found over the years. Some are obvious, but others only appear when the light hits just right or when it rains, or perhaps when you tilt your head. And sometimes, if you return to the same place you can’t even find the same tree, let alone see its face!
For the avoidance of doubt, none of these faces were carved into any tree, nor were the photos fiddled with in post production, and certainly not generated by AI. Trees produce their faces all on their own, honed over decades of growth, weather, and the occasional lost branch.
Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll probably spot your own trees with faces.
How to spot your own tree with a face
Look for symmetry: two knots or hollows side by side are the classic giveaway. Take photos in early morning or late afternoon, when the low light adds shadows and makes the features pop.
Remember, the best tree faces often show up once you’ve stopped looking for them.
The angry tree.
Why the long face?
Hmm…
‘The Scream’ tree.
The elephant tree.
Glum-faced tree.
