Do you have a favorite Camino tree?

[VNwalking]

The subject of camino trees came up in a chat with another Forum member, and we both thought it would be fun for everyone if there was a thread about our favorite trees along the way, or even in Santiago.

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.


A tree I haven't met yet (but want to) is easier to find: the giant Pohutukawa in A Coruña.

Thread 'For Kiwis (and lovers of special trees)'

Dec 7, 2021

Are you walking the Ingles or planning to visit A Coruña before heading home?

Here, courtesy of Google Maps, is a total wonder - an absolutely immense Pohutukawa. It has a pointer all its own on the map!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

You can find it behind a police station (of all places), a 12 or 13 minute walk from the Igrexa de Santiago, where the arm of the Ingles from A Coruña begins. The directions tell me it takes as much time to walk as to take the bus.

So if you want to feel a little more at home before you set off - or just want to make a botanical...

• VNwalking

• 
• 
• 

I've discovered a few others from this link:

Ten of the most amazing and interesting trees to visit in Spain - Olive Press News Spain

TREES are one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in our world and Spain has its fair share of truly exceptional ones. The Olive Press takes a look

www.theolivepress.es

Among them, a few that are relatively close to a camino route:
1. Tejo milenario de San Cristobal de Valdueza
Between El Acebo on the Francès and Penalba - quite a detour, but also quite a tree.

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza: una joya ancestral - Ecologia Cotidiana

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza es una verdadera joya ancestral que se encuentra en la provincia de León, en España.

ecologiacotidiana.es

2. This immense oak is "thought to be the largest and oldest tree in the Montaña Palencia in the region Castilla y Leon" - and is not so far from Cervera de Pisuerga on the Olvidado.

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya, direccion:Ruta del Roblón de Estalaya, , abierto: PERMANENTE, Horario: , Responsable:

www.cerveradepisuerga.eu

If you really want to get into the weeds with this, here's a fun website:

The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Spain

www.monumentaltrees.com

Edited to add this website listing trees in Galicia:

Galician Trees: Providing Shade Through the Ages - Google Arts & Culture

Let's take a look at seven of the main tree species along the Camino: oak, chestnut, cork oak, beech, ash, yew, and holly.

artsandculture.google.com

 

[chinacat]

Oh … that oak!!
(swoon)

It even has arms to hold us ….

 

[mspath]

February 26, 2008



Early morning leaving Sarria after crossing the rio Pequeno on the medieval Ponte Aspera and traversing a railway track I entered a magical space, an enchanted wood, and saw what would become my favorite tree.

Carpe diem!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Samos
rúa do Salvador
La Capela do Ciprés

photo taken December 1, 2013



This millennial cypress tree 25 m. tall, is one of the most notable trees in Spain. The adjacent chapel which may once have been a monastic cell is named for that cypress.

 

[CarolamS]

View attachment 20231009_132440.jpg
They also have some Pohutukawa trees in Cea, as you walk to Finisterre. I didn't know what they were when I saw them and called the Orangutan trees! A friend who'd visited New Zealand told me all about them. Very strange and very beautiful.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Another fun themed thread!
VN, as soon as I read the title I was going to say "Chestnut" because the ancient ones are amazing! I've been mesmerized by them this past year on both the Sanabres and the Invierno.
This monster was upon leaving the albergue in Villavieja. I'm in the picture for "scale".


Then the Via Francigena popped into my head because I loved seeing the marching soldiers of the "Thin man arborvitaes" all lined up in rows in Tuscany. They aren't beautiful, but they sure make a landscape statement.

 

[Teddie]

One of my most arduous days on Camino Norte consisted of constant vertical rain.
I walked through a forest knowing the day would be a long 31km, there was no farms, villages or buildings.
Hours at a constant pace, alone, resided that pushing-on was the only option....I needed a rest.
Everything was wet, soaked and cold, the path when up, was a constant flow of water.
I entered a dark valley, the day gloomy enough.
There stood a towering coniferous spruce, dark green, the base too wide to hug, branches extended, drooping and dripping. But there close to the trunk existed a perfectly dry circumference of refuge.
I thanked that tree. I frequently remember that tree.

 

[David Tallan]

I think my favourite on a Camino is this one in Sintra. I know it is on a Camino because I saw the yellow arrows.

My favourite on a Camino that I walked is this large one just before Triacastela, because I managed on separate occasions to get pictures of both my kids standing in front of it.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I think my favourite on a Camino is this one in Sintra. I know it is on a Camino because I saw the yellow arrows.
View attachment 179441
My favourite on a Camino that I walked is this large one just before Triacastela, because I managed on separate occasions to get pictures of both my kids standing in front of it.
View attachment 179442

I have been to Sintra, but my eyes were focused on other things.

Here is my picture of the same huge tree with my "kids" standing in front of it. My daughter-in-law has very long arms, but they don't begin to wrap around that behemoth tree.

 

[Jensjaunt]

I am not sure of the type of tree but these lovely planted along the path in the meseta became my favorite trees during warm days on my camino Francis

 

[NadineK]

This is my Primitivo tree, I took this photo the first time I walked the route in 2015. Turned it into a gigantic poster that I had hanging on my living room wall, and I looked at it every morning as I drank my coffee. I was back on the Primitivo in 2021, and passed this spot and recognized it right away. What a powerful experience, to know and love a tree in Spain!

(Sharing a slightly different photo than the one I have hanging on my wall... I'm oddly protective over my most favorite Camino photos! But, this is the same tree

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

My picture of the old chestnut is already on the forum. It's behind the pilgrims. Check out the text for it by clicking on "Vegtable garden"; there are links. My other pictures of it are on an SD card that snapped before I got home.

Vegetable garden

• Rick of Rick and Peg
• Jan 31, 2016
• 1

 

[VNwalking]

This millennial cypress tree 25 m. tall, is one of the most notable trees in Spain. The adjacent chapel which may once have been a monastic cell is named for that cypress.

Ummmm. I missed it.
Thanks for the heads-up, @mspath.

They aren't beautiful

Oh, these are gorgeous! Elegant, and creating such a nice contrast to the ones with rounded crowns.

 

[VNwalking]

I am not sure of the type of tree but these lovely planted along the path in the meseta became my favorite trees during warm days on my camino Francis

They're Plane trees.

In plazas all over Spain they are heavily pruned and grafted together to create a natural arbor offering continuous shade and refuge from the summer heat. The one in Briviesca on the Vasco is especially large.

 

[SabsP]

They're Plane trees.

In plazas all over Spain they are heavily pruned and grafted together to create a natural arbor offering continuous shade and refuge from the summer heat. The one in Briviesca on the Vasco is especially large.
View attachment 179458

Makes a certain peregrina on the bench less large!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

They're Plane trees.

In plazas all over Spain they are heavily pruned and grafted together to create a natural arbor offering continuous shade and refuge from the summer heat. The one in Briviesca on the Vasco is especially large.
View attachment 179458

I'm glad you posted this VN. I was almost ready to hunt mine down (I have many). It is so interesting how they prune them down to nubs in Spain like a misshapen hand, but provide shade in summer.
We even have a variety of them, called Sycamores, in northern Illinois, often near river banks.

 

[SabsP]

Burgos. May 2019.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Burgos. May 2019.

View attachment 179460

Great photo with the shade. I assume this is in or near the summer months?

 

[SabsP]

Great photo with the shade. I assume this is in or near the summer months?

An especially warm day in May indeed.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

Just off the Spiritual Variant is this lonely tree beyond the oyster beds.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards O Cebreiro
near La Laguna



November 30, 2012 on the biking path!

Shaggy with snow these huge pines resembled fairy tale phantoms .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Camino Frances
towards O Cebreiro
near La Laguna



November 30, 2012 on the biking path!

Shaggy with snow these huge pines resembled fairy tale phantoms .

Gorgeous!...brrr!

 

[steve392]

My wife decided to hug the Eucalyptus trees in Galacia. As an Aussie she could smell them from 50km away.

 

[Sminn]

Uterga

 

[Sminn]

Armañanzas

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@Sminn, I wonder what type of trees these are with their narrow, tiny leaves.

 

[Sminn]

@Sminn, I wonder what type of trees these are with their narrow, tiny leaves.

Olive from memory, taken Apr 2023.

 

[peregrina2000]

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.

When I saw the title of the thread, I was sure I knew who the OP was. I never had a favorite tree till I walked the Camino — but now how could it be anything but the chestnut? Its impossible regenerations, its seductive and distinctive smell when it is flowering — just standing in a grove and seeing how life keeps bursting through seemingly dead trunks is pretty humbling and life-affirming. I think one of my favorites is the big one right next to the church at Soutomerille (a very short detour off the Primitivo on the day into Lugo). What could be more atmospheric than being all alone surrounded by ancient chestnuts, moss covered stone walls, and a pre-Romanesque window?



If you love chestnut trees, you’ll love Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer.

 

[ELHS220]

The subject of camino trees came up in a chat with another Forum member, and we both thought it would be fun for everyone if there was a thread about our favorite trees along the way, or even in Santiago.

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.
View attachment 179432 View attachment 179433

A tree I haven't met yet (but want to) is easier to find: the giant Pohutukawa in A Coruña.

Thread 'For Kiwis (and lovers of special trees)'

Dec 7, 2021

Are you walking the Ingles or planning to visit A Coruña before heading home?

Here, courtesy of Google Maps, is a total wonder - an absolutely immense Pohutukawa. It has a pointer all its own on the map!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

You can find it behind a police station (of all places), a 12 or 13 minute walk from the Igrexa de Santiago, where the arm of the Ingles from A Coruña begins. The directions tell me it takes as much time to walk as to take the bus.

So if you want to feel a little more at home before you set off - or just want to make a botanical...

• VNwalking

• 
• 
• 

I've discovered a few others from this link:

Ten of the most amazing and interesting trees to visit in Spain - Olive Press News Spain

TREES are one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in our world and Spain has its fair share of truly exceptional ones. The Olive Press takes a look

www.theolivepress.es

Among them, a few that are relatively close to a camino route:
1. Tejo milenario de San Cristobal de Valdueza
Between El Acebo on the Francès and Penalba - quite a detour, but also quite a tree.

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza: una joya ancestral - Ecologia Cotidiana

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza es una verdadera joya ancestral que se encuentra en la provincia de León, en España.

ecologiacotidiana.es

2. This immense oak is "thought to be the largest and oldest tree in the Montaña Palencia in the region Castilla y Leon" - and is not so far from Cervera de Pisuerga on the Olvidado.

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya, direccion:Ruta del Roblón de Estalaya, , abierto: PERMANENTE, Horario: , Responsable:

www.cerveradepisuerga.eu

If you really want to get into the weeds with this, here's a fun website:

The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Spain

www.monumentaltrees.com

Edited to add this website listing trees in Galicia:

Galician Trees: Providing Shade Through the Ages - Google Arts & Culture

Let's take a look at seven of the main tree species along the Camino: oak, chestnut, cork oak, beech, ash, yew, and holly.

artsandculture.google.com

I call this the “sentinel tree.” Between Burgos and Hontanas, I believe.

 

[David Tallan]

I think one of my favorites is the big one right next to the church at Soutomerille (a very short detour off the Primitivo on the day into Lugo).

This one is by the church.


This one is a bit further away on the same detour.

 

[chinacat]

I call this the “sentinel tree.” Between Burgos and Hontanas, I believe.

It looks like the one @Purky uses as his avatar, but not as ‘full’.

 

[VNwalking]

Loving all these photos!

sentinel tree

Yes, that one for sure. Who amongst us doesn't have an atmospheric photo of that tree. Also these house-shading pines on the way to Villafranca.

 

[habanerocat]

Reminds me of a woodworker cabinet maker I met on my first Camino. As we walked down through the woods into Roncesvalles, he says. "This is what I came here for, the fabulous oak trees of Northern Spain."

After two weeks of almost constant oak forests I wondered to myself if he'd seen enough oak trees yet.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Strange shadow:

Spoiler: Click for another view

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It looks like the one @Purky uses as his avatar, but not as ‘full’.

Exactly what I'd noticed, too, and almost asked if he was back there watching over the poppies.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Loving all these photos!


Yes, that one for sure. Who amongst us doesn't have an atmospheric photo of that tree. Also these house-shading pines on the way to Villafranca.
View attachment 179509

I have that same photo and have read on the forum that it is the most photographed one on the Frances. Not sure if that is true though.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This one is by the church.
View attachment 179501

This one is a bit further away on the same detour.
View attachment 179502

I have often wondered on ancient chestnut trees when I walk by. They often have limbs shooting out of a gnarled giant trunk in the woods. Google gave me a good answer.

 

[Pelegrin]

The subject of camino trees came up in a chat with another Forum member, and we both thought it would be fun for everyone if there was a thread about our favorite trees along the way, or even in Santiago.

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.
View attachment 179432 View attachment 179433

A tree I haven't met yet (but want to) is easier to find: the giant Pohutukawa in A Coruña.

Thread 'For Kiwis (and lovers of special trees)'

Dec 7, 2021

Are you walking the Ingles or planning to visit A Coruña before heading home?

Here, courtesy of Google Maps, is a total wonder - an absolutely immense Pohutukawa. It has a pointer all its own on the map!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

You can find it behind a police station (of all places), a 12 or 13 minute walk from the Igrexa de Santiago, where the arm of the Ingles from A Coruña begins. The directions tell me it takes as much time to walk as to take the bus.

So if you want to feel a little more at home before you set off - or just want to make a botanical...

• VNwalking

• 
• 
• 

I've discovered a few others from this link:

Ten of the most amazing and interesting trees to visit in Spain - Olive Press News Spain

TREES are one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in our world and Spain has its fair share of truly exceptional ones. The Olive Press takes a look

www.theolivepress.es

Among them, a few that are relatively close to a camino route:
1. Tejo milenario de San Cristobal de Valdueza
Between El Acebo on the Francès and Penalba - quite a detour, but also quite a tree.

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza: una joya ancestral - Ecologia Cotidiana

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza es una verdadera joya ancestral que se encuentra en la provincia de León, en España.

ecologiacotidiana.es

2. This immense oak is "thought to be the largest and oldest tree in the Montaña Palencia in the region Castilla y Leon" - and is not so far from Cervera de Pisuerga on the Olvidado.

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya, direccion:Ruta del Roblón de Estalaya, , abierto: PERMANENTE, Horario: , Responsable:

www.cerveradepisuerga.eu

If you really want to get into the weeds with this, here's a fun website:

The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Spain

www.monumentaltrees.com

Edited to add this website listing trees in Galicia:

Galician Trees: Providing Shade Through the Ages - Google Arts & Culture

Let's take a look at seven of the main tree species along the Camino: oak, chestnut, cork oak, beech, ash, yew, and holly.

artsandculture.google.com

I have some trees in Galicia. My favourite ones are twenty "carballos" ( Quercus robur) with more than a hundred years.

 

[wynrich]

I call this the “sentinel tree.” Between Burgos and Hontanas, I believe.

Yes! I think this is the same one we took in 2013:

 

[Robo]

Forks. (the word y e s keeps changing to forks for some reason)
Meet 'Thomas'.

He lives on the penultimate section of the French.

A story about meeting Tomas. https://robscamino.com/2015/sharing-camino-friends-could-be-risky/

 

[Robo]

My wife decided to hug the Eucalyptus trees in Galacia. As an Aussie she could smell them from 50km away.

View attachment 179474

Hugging trees is obligatory when walking a Camino!

As is talking to cows, horses, sheep.........

And staring tearfully at the landscape.

 

[trecile]

I call this the “sentinel tree.” Between Burgos and Hontanas, I believe.

Here's the tree in May and September.

I have walked in both May and September, and I can tell you that the vegetation is definitely does not look green and fresh in September.

These photos were taken in the same place:

May

View attachment 179303

September

View attachment 179304

September is a lovely time to walk, but definitely different.

I also liked the "Buda tree" in Molinaseca

Some time ago, after reading this thread I set a "place reminder" on my phone, so that when I was walking through Molinaseca today it popped up and I was reminded to look for the Buda tree.
Thanks @VNwalking for bringing it to my attention.

View attachment 172405

 

[VNwalking]

After two weeks of almost constant oak forests I wondered to myself if he'd seen enough oak trees yet

Likely not. At least I hope not.
He was clearly not the 'you've seen one oak tree, you've seen them all' kind of person, anyway. Nature blindness is going to kill us all, so I find the enthusiasm touching.

It took me a while to find the link, but for the most adventurous among the adventurous, there's a grove of millennial Yews on an alternative route near the Viejo, between Trespaderne and Quintana de Valdivielso. Here's a description of it from:

Ruta de senderismo: Los Tejos de Panizares y Los Tartalés

Importante: dada la sensibilidad del enclave de los Tejos de Panizares recomiendo: - Ir en pequeños grupos. - Intentar pisar lo menos p...

tierrasdeburgos.blogspot.com

Descendemos un poco y entramos en la espesura de la Tejeda de Panizares (que en realidad es de Trespaderne). Tenemos más de una veintena de centenarios y evocadores tejos, pero esta empinada ladera ofrece una gran variedad de arboles: tilos, robles, madroños, hayas... A medida que vamos descendiendo observamos un tejo retorcido tras otro, formando rincones inolvidables

 

[markie6]

Just outside Saria IIRC .. @mspath had already posted a photo I thought I had taken a copy of too ... but I cannot find it. It's a good place for big old trees

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Just outside Saria IIRC .. @mspath had already posted a photo I thought I had taken a copy of too ... but I cannot find it. It's a good place for big old trees

A bit of info about the odd and unusual look of these unique ancient trees.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have often wondered on ancient chestnut trees when I walk by. They often have limbs shooting out of a gnarled giant trunk in the woods.

You're talking about this.

 

[feenzo]

Lone Tree atop the Alto Messeta

 

[Chenahusky]

Just outside Saria IIRC .. @mspath had already posted a photo I thought I had taken a copy of too ... but I cannot find it. It's a good place for big old trees

Also my favourite tree. Here in black and white.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You're talking about this.
View attachment 179579

Yes I am, and a plethora of other fascinating gnarled trunks. I think Peg is in your photo for scale. It can't be a squirrel because I never have seen one on my Caminos.

 

[chinacat]

Also my favourite tree. Here in black and white.

Somehow, black & white photography captures the noble aspect of that tree in a way that a colour photo wouldn’t.

It really is a magnificent tree.

 

[VNwalking]

It's fun to play with this! I of course have a photo of that tree. It says something that others came to mind first. The Camino is full of gorgeous beings.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I saw this one the afternoon after walking across Barcelona. It's just before Sant Cugat.


You can see it on Street View too.

08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès · Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[markie6]

Park / Lake ? Grajera Park just outside Logrono 2018. The following year I was ready and had a snack to throw

Lovely thread thanks

@Camino Chrissy

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Park / Lake ? Grajera Park just outside Logrono 2018. The following year I was ready and had a snack to throw

Lovely thread thanks

@Camino Chrissy

A real squirrel...ain't he cute!
And to think I never have seen any in Spain.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I saw this one the afternoon after walking across Barcelona. It's just before Sant Cugat.
View attachment 179585

08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès · Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

maps.app.goo.gl

Rick, I absolutely love those Umbrella trees. My first one ma ever was in the gardens of the Vatican.

 

[chinacat]

The Camino is full of gorgeous beings.

How many are hiding in the façade of that tree …

 

[VNwalking]

I saw this one the afternoon after walking across Barcelona. It's just before Sant Cugat.
View attachment 179585

08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès · Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

maps.app.goo.gl

The thumbnail doesn't do it justice. That's a huge tree!

 

[MickMac]

The subject of camino trees came up in a chat with another Forum member, and we both thought it would be fun for everyone if there was a thread about our favorite trees along the way, or even in Santiago.

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.
View attachment 179432 View attachment 179433

A tree I haven't met yet (but want to) is easier to find: the giant Pohutukawa in A Coruña.

Thread 'For Kiwis (and lovers of special trees)'

Dec 7, 2021

Are you walking the Ingles or planning to visit A Coruña before heading home?

Here, courtesy of Google Maps, is a total wonder - an absolutely immense Pohutukawa. It has a pointer all its own on the map!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

You can find it behind a police station (of all places), a 12 or 13 minute walk from the Igrexa de Santiago, where the arm of the Ingles from A Coruña begins. The directions tell me it takes as much time to walk as to take the bus.

So if you want to feel a little more at home before you set off - or just want to make a botanical...

• VNwalking

• 
• 
• 

I've discovered a few others from this link:

Ten of the most amazing and interesting trees to visit in Spain - Olive Press News Spain

TREES are one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in our world and Spain has its fair share of truly exceptional ones. The Olive Press takes a look

www.theolivepress.es

Among them, a few that are relatively close to a camino route:
1. Tejo milenario de San Cristobal de Valdueza
Between El Acebo on the Francès and Penalba - quite a detour, but also quite a tree.

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza: una joya ancestral - Ecologia Cotidiana

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza es una verdadera joya ancestral que se encuentra en la provincia de León, en España.

ecologiacotidiana.es

2. This immense oak is "thought to be the largest and oldest tree in the Montaña Palencia in the region Castilla y Leon" - and is not so far from Cervera de Pisuerga on the Olvidado.

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya, direccion:Ruta del Roblón de Estalaya, , abierto: PERMANENTE, Horario: , Responsable:

www.cerveradepisuerga.eu

If you really want to get into the weeds with this, here's a fun website:

The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Spain

www.monumentaltrees.com

Edited to add this website listing trees in Galicia:

Galician Trees: Providing Shade Through the Ages - Google Arts & Culture

Let's take a look at seven of the main tree species along the Camino: oak, chestnut, cork oak, beech, ash, yew, and holly.

artsandculture.google.com

Outside Sarria think can't remember a misty morning.

The subject of camino trees came up in a chat with another Forum member, and we both thought it would be fun for everyone if there was a thread about our favorite trees along the way, or even in Santiago.

My personal favorite is this gorgeous chestnut on the Invierno, between Villavieja and Castillo de Cornatel.
View attachment 179432 View attachment 179433

A tree I haven't met yet (but want to) is easier to find: the giant Pohutukawa in A Coruña.

Thread 'For Kiwis (and lovers of special trees)'

Dec 7, 2021

Are you walking the Ingles or planning to visit A Coruña before heading home?

Here, courtesy of Google Maps, is a total wonder - an absolutely immense Pohutukawa. It has a pointer all its own on the map!

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

You can find it behind a police station (of all places), a 12 or 13 minute walk from the Igrexa de Santiago, where the arm of the Ingles from A Coruña begins. The directions tell me it takes as much time to walk as to take the bus.

So if you want to feel a little more at home before you set off - or just want to make a botanical...

• VNwalking

• 
• 
• 

I've discovered a few others from this link:

Ten of the most amazing and interesting trees to visit in Spain - Olive Press News Spain

TREES are one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in our world and Spain has its fair share of truly exceptional ones. The Olive Press takes a look

www.theolivepress.es

Among them, a few that are relatively close to a camino route:
1. Tejo milenario de San Cristobal de Valdueza
Between El Acebo on the Francès and Penalba - quite a detour, but also quite a tree.

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza: una joya ancestral - Ecologia Cotidiana

El tejo milenario de San Cristóbal de Valdueza es una verdadera joya ancestral que se encuentra en la provincia de León, en España.

ecologiacotidiana.es

2. This immense oak is "thought to be the largest and oldest tree in the Montaña Palencia in the region Castilla y Leon" - and is not so far from Cervera de Pisuerga on the Olvidado.

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya

El Roblón de Estalaya en Estalaya, direccion:Ruta del Roblón de Estalaya, , abierto: PERMANENTE, Horario: , Responsable:

www.cerveradepisuerga.eu

If you really want to get into the weeds with this, here's a fun website:

The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Spain

www.monumentaltrees.com

Edited to add this website listing trees in Galicia:

Galician Trees: Providing Shade Through the Ages - Google Arts & Culture

Let's take a look at seven of the main tree species along the Camino: oak, chestnut, cork oak, beech, ash, yew, and holly.

artsandculture.google.com

Outside Sarria random photo.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Not a favorite tree but one of my favorite photos of a tree. Taken shortly before arriving at the beach at Finisterre (southern route).

The thumbnail doesn't do it justice. That's a huge tree!

I suppose you saw it then with Google Street View by using the link (I have edited my post to indicate that it could be seen that way).

 

[Murk]

Must be this one, between Logroño and Navarette, for offering the only bit of shadow on a sunny, 35° mid-day, when all the wise people had stopped for siesta but we had foolishly pressed on.


I was very grateful to this tree.

 

[AlanSykes]

A solitary elm I passed in the Valdepeñas vineyards today, on the Camino Mozárabe por Ciudad Real. Presumably solitary enough not to have caught the disease.

 

[chinacat]

They’re wonderful trees; I still miss seeing them.

We use a piece of elm as a worktop. It’s more than two inches thick and six and a half feet long, with a couple of small irregularities at the edge, presumably as a result of the disease. What they say about putting hot tins and saucepans down on it is true: they don’t burn the wood.
It was a nightmare to sand smooth though!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Im northern Illinois all the beautiful colonnade of Elm trees I grew up with got what was called "Dutch Elm" disease. They were all cut down, hauled off somewhere and burned.
Is this the same disease as you speak of, @chinacat?

 

[chinacat]

It is.
It was dreadful, and in the UK a similarly devastating disease has been attacking Ash trees in the last few years.
However, this year we have discovered lots of young ash trees growing in and around our garden, which seem to be resistant to the disease.
Fingers crossed!!

 

[Kirkie]

Well really my favourite is a local one, and it is a bush, but I found this photo. July 2006.
Where? Let Rick be the sleuth
It was a promise of shade for future pilgrims...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Well really my favourite is a local one, and it is a bush, but I found this photo. July 2006.
Where? Let Rick be the sleuth

Here:


Closest photo I still have is this one taken before Villar de Mazarife (I think I recognize the water tower in the village before).

 

[JWST]

I think my favourite on a Camino is this one in Sintra. I know it is on a Camino because I saw the yellow arrows.
View attachment 179441
My favourite on a Camino that I walked is this large one just before Triacastela, because I managed on separate occasions to get pictures of both my kids standing in front of it.
View attachment 179442

Me too, what cracker of a tree, not sure about its age

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Me too, what cracker of a tree, not sure about its age

The following is taken from this webpage:

Castaño centenario de Ramil

A chestnut tree with more than 800 years of history that makes the village of Ramil one of the most visited ones

vivecamino.com

There, in the village of Ramil, we find one of the most iconic elements of this route: The centenary chestnut tree of Ramil.​

​

It is a chestnut tree that, according to the School of Forestry Engineers of Madrid, has around 850 years of history. [...]​

​

But as if its longevity were not enough, the reality is that there are more reasons why the Chestnut Tree of Ramil is so well known: its size and shape. Its 2.7 metres in diameter and 8.5 metres in perimeter make it a most peculiar chestnut tree, as well as its strange hollows and fat branches, which make it seem unique.​

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Berbegal, two stages from Huesca on the Catalan, had a tree worth photographing. So I did, five years and one day ago.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A very popular tree photo. I think this was taken somewhere not far past Portomarin.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Park / Lake ? Grajera Park just outside Logrono 2018. The following year I was ready and had a snack to throw

@Camino Chrissy

@markie6, I zoomed in on your squirrel picture and see that it is a red squirrel. I must eat my previous words saying I have never seen a squirrel while walking the caminos, but must clarify. While visiting Valladolid and walking around the huge and beautiful "Camp Grande" park, there were many of the unique and pretty Red squirrels so I took some pictures. Where I live there are only gray squirrels and an occasional black one.
He is so cute.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

 

[VNwalking]

A magnificent chestnut. Where?

View attachment 180078

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A magnificent chestnut. Where?

Not sure so I didn't say. But, since you asked, somewhere near here (on the CF, 2015):

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Last ones. Not of trees particularly but they are prominent. I think these are close to Villamayor de Monjardín on the CF and were taken in early June.

 

[Takahiwai]

I love trees of any age and description, but there was one on my very first camino...it was, I think, just after a hamlet called Hospital, on the way to Triacastela. I was walking through a forest and came to a massive, ancient tree - the obvious camino trail went upwards to the left of it, and a faint trail went downwards, to the right. I was immediately put in mind of my favourite Robert Frost poem.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I love trees of any age and description, but there was one on my very first camino...it was, I think, just after a hamlet called Hospital, on the way to Triacastela. I was walking through a forest and came to a massive, ancient tree - the obvious camino trail went upwards to the left of it, and a faint trail went downwards, to the right. I was immediately put in mind of my favourite Robert Frost poem.

Many seem to love that same tree near Triacastela. See post #8.

 

[Takahiwai]

Many seem to love that same tree near Triacastela. See post #8.

Nope, that's not the one. It was actually in the forest, once I'd started climbing out of Hospital.

 

[Takahiwai]

Many seem to love that same tree near Triacastela. See post #8.

Thank you so much for looking, though - and I've definitely seen a photo of it somewhere on this forum, but not in this thread. When I walked the camino that first time, we didn't have such things as mobile phones, so I just had an actual photo of it, which I put into an album, to which I now don't have access (hostile ex!)

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I was walking through a forest and came to a massive, ancient tree - the obvious camino trail went upwards to the left of it, and a faint trail went downwards, to the right.

My picture in post #45 above seems to fit the description except I can't pinpoint its location. Is that your tree?

 

[Takahiwai]

My picture in post #45 above seems to fit the description except I can't pinpoint its location. Is that your tree?

It could well be, although the track looks much wider and clearer. Mind you, I saw it 26 years ago, so I imagine things may well have changed!