Some trees stop you in your tracks— A sudden flush of pink against a grey spring sky. A towering trunk that seems to hum with time.
The cherry tree and the oak couldn’t be more different. One dazzles for days and is gone before you’re ready. The other stands solid for generations, steady as breath. But both have a way of staying with us.
They appear in poems, postcards, childhoods, and hometowns. They give us color, shelter, food, and stories.
Sometimes, they’re the landmarks we use when giving directions. Other times, they’re the places we return to just to sit and think.
What makes a tree popular? It’s not just its beauty or size. It’s what it means to people—culturally, emotionally, sometimes even spiritually.
In this list, we’re not just naming trees. We’re sharing why people across the world feel a connection to them—why they plant them, paint them, write about them, and fight to protect them. Let’s explore 10 of the world’s most popular trees and what makes them unforgettable.
10 Popular Trees People Can’t Stop Loving
Some trees are more than just trees. They’re the ones we repeatedly remember, talk about, and plant for beauty, meaning, and love. Here are the most popular trees the world holds dear and why they stand out:
1. Cherry Blossom (Sakura) – Beauty in Bloom
Cherry blossoms are loved worldwide for their delicate beauty and symbolic meaning. Their soft pink petals, which bloom briefly each spring, have become a global symbol of renewal, hope, and the fleeting nature of time. Their short bloom—just a week or two—makes them feel rare and precious, adding to their appeal.
In Japan, the sakura season is a national event. Families and coworkers gather under the trees for hanami (flower viewing), a tradition over 1,000 years old. The trees also hold significant cultural weight, appearing in everything from poetry and art to anime and skincare.
In Washington, D.C., more than 3,000 cherry trees were gifted by Japan in 1912, creating the foundation for what’s now the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This event draws over 1.5 million visitors annually.
Cherry blossoms remind people to slow down and savor what’s before them. They bloom, fall, and vanish, mirroring how moments in life come and go. That message has made them a favorite in gardens, philosophy, fashion, and pop culture.
Fun Fact: Japan has over 200 varieties of cherry blossom trees, each with its own bloom pattern, shade of pink, and history.
2. Oak Tree: A Global Symbol of Strength
The oak is one of the world’s most recognized and respected trees. Known for its strength, long life, and wide canopy, it symbolizes resilience and stability across cultures. Oaks can live for hundreds of years and grow to massive sizes, making them a favorite in forests and front yards.
Oaks aren’t just admired, they’re helpful. Their wood is known for being durable and rot-resistant, and it is used in everything from barrels and ships to flooring and furniture. Their acorns provide food for wildlife, and their broad canopies offer shade, making them an essential part of many ecosystems.
In Celtic and Norse traditions, oaks were sacred and considered the “king of trees.” In the U.S., they’re a national symbol: the white oak is the official state tree of Maryland, Connecticut, and Illinois. The tree’s deep roots and towering presence make it a favorite metaphor for strength and groundedness.
Fun Fact: One of the oldest known oaks—estimated to be around 1,000 years old—still stands in England!
3. Baobab: The Tree of Life
Baobabs are instantly recognizable for their massive, bottle-shaped trunks and bare branches that look like roots reaching toward the sky. Native to Africa, Madagascar, and Australia, these trees have captured global imagination for their unique appearance and role as lifelines in harsh environments.
Often called the “Tree of Life,” baobabs can store thousands of gallons of water in their trunks to survive drought. Communities have long relied on them for food, shelter, medicine, and fiber. The baobab fruit—rich in vitamin C and antioxidants—is used in juices, powders, and traditional healing remedies.
In many African cultures, baobabs are sacred. Villages gather beneath their wide canopies for meetings, storytelling, or rest. Baobabs represent endurance, generosity, and connection to the land. Their presence is usually interwoven with local myths and oral history.
Fun fact: Baobabs can live for over 2,000 years, and some trunks are so wide that they’ve been used as storage spaces, bus stops, and even pubs!
4. Maple Tree: Fall’s Favorite Star
Maple trees are beloved for their brilliant fall colors—deep reds, fiery oranges, and golden yellows that light up entire landscapes. They’re especially popular in North America, where they signal the change of seasons in the most dramatic way.
Beyond their beauty, maples are deeply practical. Sugar maples produce sap that’s boiled into maple syrup—a tradition rooted in Indigenous practices and now a multimillion-dollar industry, especially in Canada and the northeastern U.S. Maple wood is also used in furniture, flooring, and musical instruments for its strength and smooth grain.
The maple leaf is proudly featured on Canada’s national flag and coins, making it one of the most iconic tree symbols in the world. In Canada and the U.S., the “leaf-peeping” season brings in tourism every autumn, with people traveling just to catch a glimpse of the fall foliage.
Fun fact: It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of maple syrup, which explains why it’s so cherished!
5. Olive Tree: Ancient and Everlasting
The olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated trees in the world, and it’s still going strong. Native to the Mediterranean region, it’s cherished for its silvery-green leaves, gnarled trunks, and the fruit that powers a global industry: olives and olive oil.
Olive trees are incredibly resilient. They can survive drought, poor soil, and even fire, and some trees are still producing fruit after 1,000 years. Olive oil, often called “liquid gold,” is a dietary staple in many cultures and prized for its flavor and health benefits. The tree also provides wood, leaves for tea, and cultural significance in countless traditions.
In Greek mythology, the olive tree was a gift from the goddess Athena and became a symbol of wisdom and peace. Today, the olive branch continues to represent harmony. These trees often grow in groves passed down through generations, making them a living link between past and present.
Fun fact: Some olive trees in the Mediterranean are estimated to be over 2,000 years old and still bearing fruit!
6. Banyan Tree: Nature’s Living Sculpture
Banyan trees aren’t just trees—they’re ecosystems. With roots that grow down from the branches and anchor into the ground, they create a maze of trunks and canopies that seem to go on forever. They're native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia, but admired worldwide for their sheer scale and visual impact.
The banyan’s ability to grow outward—sometimes covering an entire acre—makes it a source of shelter and shade in many communities. In rural India, banyans often serve as gathering spaces, marketplaces, or quiet places for reflection. They’re also prized for their medicinal uses and role in supporting biodiversity.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, banyans are sacred and often associated with knowledge and eternal life. Temples are frequently built near them, and ancient scriptures mention them as places where sages meditated under their vast branches.
Interesting fact: The Great Banyan Tree in Kolkata, India, looks like a forest, but it’s a single tree with over 3,000 aerial roots that have grown into what appear to be individual trunks!
7. Redwood: The Gentle Giants
Redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth, and standing beneath one is an experience that stays with you. Towering over 350 feet, these ancient giants are found mainly along the coast of Northern California and Oregon, drawing millions of visitors yearly to national and state parks.
Redwoods aren’t just tall, they’re resilient. Some are over 2,000 years old, having survived wildfires, storms, and time. Their thick, fibrous bark makes them naturally fire-resistant, and their canopies support a unique ecosystem high above the forest floor. These trees also play a vital role in capturing carbon and helping fight climate change.
Redwoods represent nature’s power and patience. They’ve become a symbol of environmental preservation, especially after centuries of logging that dramatically reduced old-growth forests. Today, redwood groves are carefully protected; walking through them is often described as a spiritual experience.
Fun fact: The tallest redwood, Hyperion, stands at 379.7 feet and is taller than the Statue of Liberty and a 35-story building!
8. Eucalyptus: The Koala’s Favorite
Native to Australia, eucalyptus trees are now found all over the world thanks to their fast growth, fragrant leaves, and adaptability. Their tall, straight trunks and silvery foliage make them popular in landscapes, essential oil products, and floristry.
Eucalyptus trees serve multiple purposes. Their leaves produce a natural oil known for its soothing scent and medicinal properties, commonly used in balms, teas, and aromatherapy. The wood is durable and used for construction, paper, and fuel. In their native environment, they also provide food and habitat for koalas and other wildlife.
For many, eucalyptus represents cleansing and calm. Indigenous Australians have long used the leaves in traditional medicine and ceremonies. Due to its rapid establishment, eucalyptus is also planted globally for erosion control and reforestation efforts.
Fun fact: A mature eucalyptus tree can drink up to 50 gallons of water daily. This makes it helpful in drying swampy land and controversial in drought-prone areas!
9. Palm Tree: The Icon of Paradise
Palm trees are instantly associated with sunshine, beaches, and vacation mode. Found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, they’ve become visual shorthand for relaxation and escape. From postcards to poolside resorts, palms are everywhere.
Palm trees aren’t just decorative—they’re incredibly useful. Different species produce coconuts, dates, acai berries, and palm oil. Their fronds are used for roofing, weaving, and festivals. Many varieties are drought-resistant and well-suited for sandy, nutrient-poor soil, making them practical in harsh climates.
In ancient civilizations, palms symbolized victory and abundance. In Christianity, palm branches are a sign of peace, celebrated yearly on Palm Sunday. Today, they’re a cultural symbol of tropical living and easygoing luxury, often used to sell everything from travel to skincare.
Fun fact: Not all palm trees are tall. Some, like the Dwarf Palmetto, grow close to the ground, and there are over 2,600 species of palms globally.
10. Jacaranda: A Purple Dreamscape
Jacaranda trees are loved for one simple reason—they’re stunning. When in bloom, they drape streets and parks in vibrant clouds of purple-blue flowers, creating an almost dreamlike scene. Originally from South America, they’re now iconic in cities like Pretoria, Los Angeles, and Sydney.
Though primarily planted for their beauty, jacarandas have become local landmarks in many parts of the world. In cities where they line the streets, they’re part of people’s daily rhythm, marking seasons, graduation time, or just the perfect moment for a photo. Their fern-like leaves also add texture and shade once the flowers fall.
In many places, jacarandas signal the arrival of spring or exam season, especially in Australia and South Africa. They symbolize fleeting beauty and are often linked to nostalgia or significant life events. Some even believe that if a jacaranda flower falls on your head, it brings good luck.
Fun fact: Pretoria, South Africa, nicknamed Jacaranda City, has over 70,000 jacaranda trees, and the city turns a vivid purple each spring.
Whether it’s a cherry blossom that reminds us to savor fleeting moments, or a redwood that stretches our sense of time and scale, popular trees are the ones that stay with us. And while their popularity may look different across continents and cultures, they all share one thing in common: they give more than they take.
Make These Trees Part of Tomorrow with Plantd
The world’s most beloved trees didn’t become icons by chance. They’ve shaped landscapes, cultures, and memories. But even the most admired trees need protection, and that’s where Plantd comes in.
Whether you want to help restore native forests, honor a tree that means something to you, or make sustainability part of your business, we turn intention into action. We’re working to replant meaningful species, support local communities, and grow one billion trees.
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