10 Wonderfully Weird Trees From Across Canada
Updated: Jul. 06, 2023
Canada is home to some rare and wild trees that weather every storm with incredible resilience. Thanks to your mind-blowing submissions, we’ve assembled some of Canada’s weirdest trees growing in strange places and even exhibiting edaphoecotropism—when trees eat things!
Weird Trees Across Canada
Lean on Me
Here, we can see the famous mantra in action: lean on me! This shot was snapped on Beauvert Lake in Jasper National Park by Frank Koenig of Morinville, Alberta. “Trees grow in different ways,” Frank writes of the cliffside tree.
That’s a Wrap!
A perfect example of edaphoecotropism, this “paper” undeniably covers rock! When the spring runoff washed this tree-rock into a creek near her cottage in British Columbia, Debbie Browne decided to haul it home to Spruce Grove, Alberta. “This tree shows how adaptable it could be by wrapping its roots around this huge granite rock,” explains Debbie. “The stump weighs about 400 pounds, but now has a place of honour in my yard. It’s a piece of natural, sculptural art and I love it. It reminds me how tough nature is and inspires me to be resilient too.”
Read about one Indigenous artist’s take on the persistence of nature.
Loch Ness Monster
Weird trees come in all shapes and sizes, including this one. This wonky tree trunk was captured in Ontario’s Maple Keys Sugar Bush Conservation Area by Rhonda Beirnes. “Is it a tree that got tired of growing or a woodland creature?”
Brush up on some creepy facts about Canada.
Growth on an Old-Growth
“I tried to make the photo show what I was feeling while there,” writes Jackie Gartner of the beautifully mangled old-growth tree photographed at MacMillan Provincial Park’s Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island. The area is known for its old-growth Douglas fir trees, some of which are more than 800 years old. “The big trees are like cathedrals,” writes Jackie. “It’s like a mystical forest wandering through there—almost felt like being in another world!”
Check out more of Vancouver Island’s hidden treasures.
Bend and Snap
This weirdly shaped poplar tree was found in Duck Mountain Provincial Park by Daryle Friesen while on a partridge hunting trip. “I first spotted this unusual tree on one of our first trips into the mountain. As we rounded an opening in the forest, there it was! ‘Boy, that is so unusual’ I thought to myself,” Daryle writes. What has kept this hunter coming back? “The scenery in Duck Mountain is breathtaking and its beauty and peaceful tranquility makes this my favourite place to visit in all of Manitoba.”
Here are 10 national parks every Canadian needs to visit.
Exposure to Nature
This tangle of roots and branches was found near the well-known lighthouse at Ontario’s Presqu’ile Provincial Park by photographer Norma Keith. “I go there often during all seasons,” Norma writes. “The wildlife as well as the butterfly migration in September is amazing to see.”
Satisfy your curiosity for Canada’s most beautiful lighthouses.
New Beginnings
Branches and leaves sprout from a determined tree stump in Rattray Marsh Conservation Area in Mississauga, Ontario. “I thought it was interesting how the new growth was coming out of a tree stump that appeared dead,” writes local photographer Karen Allin.
This regrowth occurs when a tree is cut down to ground level, but has nutrients and sugars stored in its roots, which allows it to continue to grow new shoots from the stump or roots. Known as coppicing, this practice is used for harvesting firewood, forest management and conservation purposes.
Learn more about the uphill battle for forest conservation by West Coast First Nations.
Spring Surprise
Along with sweet sap, this maple tree carried something special in its buds and branches to welcome the spring of 2023—bursting shades of yellow, orange, red and dark purple. “The sun was shining at the right angle for a picture. To me, it resembled a painting,” writes Emiliano Joanes of Montreal, Quebec. “I broke a twig to see if it was painted but it was not so. I scraped the bark only to find the colour deeply embedded in the bark.”
Nature’s colour palette can be seen in this fall showcase.
Weathering the Storm
Found on the rugged shoreline at Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail on Vancouver Island, photographer Ron Clarke fittingly describes the snapshot as “one of many windswept trees.” The area is known for its epic coastline views during storm watching season, and it looks like this weird tree has had a front row seat to the action!
Discover more hidden gems in British Columbia.
Castaway
These weird trees show their resilience by growing on a tiny desert island out on Lake Ontario. When photographer Kim Leaman noticed the stranded trees, she was struck by the beautiful scene. “It was slightly submerged at this time, but it is still standing tall and beautiful with its green leaves against the grey sky,” Kim writes.
Taking a trip somewhere in Canada? We’d love to hear about it! Submit your stories to Our Canada magazine and you may be featured in a future edition.
