We asked readers to show us their favorite trees in the Triangle. The results are stunning
In celebration of Arbor Day, a national holiday celebrating the importance of trees, we asked our readers to share photos of their favorite tree in the Triangle area, along with a short story about what makes that tree their favorite.
See our readers’ photos, read their stories and learn where these trees are located so that you can go admire the beauty for yourself.
Favorite trees in Raleigh
“It is very old and has many broken and crooked branches. I have walked past this tree almost every Sunday for over 40 years as I entered our sanctuary to worship. It is a reminder to me of God’s sustaining love for me and my family that has continued throughout many years and though we may grow older and become a bit broken, He abides with us still.” - Dianne Austin of Cary
Location: Old Wake Forest Road and East Millbrook Road
“Most of the year, the little Maple blends into the background of large pines, poplars, oaks, elms and colorful azaleas. But in the fall, the blazing red leaves push the tree to center stage, and we say ‘Wow!’” - Arthur Jackson of Raleigh
Location: Hunters Bluff Drive
“This tree is one of my favorite meeting spots at Dix Park. She provides a frame for the Raleigh skyline and shade for the picnic tables at Flowers Field.” - Cara Lewis, communications specialist at NC State’s College of Natural Resources
Location: Dix Park
“I pass it on morning walks and driving by. I always hope it will inspire builders and developers to save trees.” - Carlyn Poole of Raleigh
Location: Lassiter Mill Road
“This ginkgo tree near my home goes through an incredibly quick transformation each fall. It flames up in brilliant yellow and in less than a week all its leaves fall to earth leaving a pile of brilliance beneath.” - Steve Swienckowski of Raleigh
Location: Westbrook Drive
“The Schenck Oak dominates its site near a pavilion in Schenck Forest. Its name commemorates the founder of the Biltmore Forestry School. Carl Alwin Schenck said the NC State forestry school carried on his legacy.” - Gary Blank, coordinator of Forest Management Programs in NC State’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
“The Schenck Oak (Quercus alba) is a white oak, one of the most valuable species in the southeastern United States in terms of its value to wildlife and its high quality and beautiful lumber. … The 2022 photo shows students in the Forestry Club under the spreading canopy, which is just starting to show signs of fall color. This beautiful tree is the focal point of our picnic area, and it is one of the first trees taught in my Dendrology class at NC State.” - Steph Jeffries, professor in NC State’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Location: Schenck Memorial Forest
“Trunk of the tree is more than eight feet in diameter. Beautiful burls and various ecosystems throughout the tree. Age is unknown, but was the reason the homeowners (us) purchased the property.” - Larry Clark of Raleigh
Location: Nash Drive
“Our office at The Raleigh Market on the State Fairgrounds overlooks this lovely pomegranate tree. Watching the annual progress from beautiful blossoms to mature fruit is an absolute joy. We half-jokingly say that this tree is the most popular item at the market, as visitors constantly stop to take pictures and ask about it. … The attached picture unfortunately does not do the tree full justice; we wish we had one taken when the tree was in bloom or in fruit, but it is still a marvelous tree!” - Kimberly Benou of Raleigh
Location: The Raleigh Market on the State Fairgrounds
“A former Christmas tree (with root ball intact), it was then donated to the Raleigh Parks Department by tree lover Nell Joslin. I can’t wait to see how it thrives in this choice location.” - Lucinda Thrall of Raleigh
Location: Outside Kiwanis Park’s entrance
Favorite trees in Durham
“It is right beside a serene, reflective farm pond, providing an inviting spot to take a short break. It is estimated to be around 160 years old, making it a young sapling when the Civil War was ending at Bennett Place in Durham, just 18 miles to the east.” - Jerry Barker of Raleigh
Location: Rolling View State Recreation Area
“The red bud tree that volunteered to grow at the start of the walkway to our front door and then formed a limb into a curved arch over the walkway, saying welcome to our visitors. Gorgeous, deep pink flowers in springtime and bright green heart-shaped summer leaves which turn red in autumn … what is not to love about this tree?!” - Barbara Robertson of Durham
Location: Durham
Favorite trees in Cary
“We love our 40-foot Bigleaf Magnolia, with the largest simple leaf and single flower of any native North American plant. Its huge creamy white flowers are larger than your hand and glow in the night like giant light bulbs! And its fallen leaves have been compared to newspapers, but I think you could actually stitch a couple together to make a verdant dress!” - Gretchen Moore of Cary
Location: King George Loop
“My favorite Cary tree.” - Joseph Williams of Cary
Location: Cary Parkway, north of Tyron Road
“It’s the only tree of its kind in the community. Its branches are ‘reaching out,’ embracing everyone!” - Monte Welch of Cary
Location: Carolina Preserve at Amberly
Favorite trees in Hillsborough
“Some trees just gotta dance!” - James Wilson of Hillsborough
Location: Occoneechee Mountain
Favorite trees in Angier
“This old oak that is in the corner of my front yard has been measured at over 12 feet around and is probably well over 200 years old. One spring, at least 15 or more years ago, there was bark all over the front yard and a white streak on the trunk on the north side — probably a lightning strike. The damage over the years has seemed to affect the south side more. I was happy to see the leaves this spring, which shows there’s still some life left.” - Linda Seale of Angier
Location: Ennis Road
Favorite trees in Goldsboro
“The highway was built across a beautiful valley of the Little River and right through the house that I lived in as a teenager and that my parents lived in for 30 years. Fortunately, some kind soul with the state highway department decided to save a longleaf pine that my father planted in the early 1970s, and this brings some solace for the ache I still feel over losing this special place.” - Dale McKeel of Durham
Location: Adjacent to Interstate 795
This story was originally published April 28, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "We asked readers to show us their favorite trees in the Triangle. The results are stunning."
