Giant Trees At the Cambodian Temple of Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Located approximately one kilometer east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray near Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition in which it was found. Huge trees, reminiscent of ancient redwoods and oaks, are blended into the walls, and rocks hugging the giant roots gives the temple a surreal appearance. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

Ta Prohm was built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. After the fall of the Khmer empire in the 15th century, the temple of Ta Prohm was abandoned and neglected for centuries. When the effort to conserve and restore the temples of Angkor began in the early 20th century, it was decided that Ta Prohm would be left largely as it had been found, as a "concession to the general taste for the picturesque."

The temple of Ta Prohm was used as a location in the film Tomb Raider. Although the film took visual liberties with other Angkorian temples, its scenes of Ta Prohm were quite faithful to the temple's actual appearance, and made use of its eerie qualities.

Source: Wikipedia, darkind.livejournal.com

Baobab Tree or Upside-Down Tree

Baobab Tree or Upside-Down Tree

Baobab or Upside-Down Tree grows in Africa and Australia. The legend says that after it was planted by God it kept moving, so God replanted it upside down. These trees can reach heights of 5 to 30 metres (16 to 98 ft) and have trunk diameters of 7 to 11 metres (23 to 36 ft). The cork-like bark is fire resistant and is used for cloth and rope. The leaves are used for condiments and medicines. The fruit, called "monkey bread", is rich in vitamin C and is eaten. The tree is capable of storing hundreds of litres of water, which is tapped in dry periods. More images after the break...

Mature trees are frequently hollow, providing living space for numerous animals and humans alike. Trees are even used as bars, barns and more. The Baobab also features as the Tree of Life in Disney's "Lion King", and is the centrepiece in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Via - Link

The Cannonball Tree

The Cannonball Tree (scientific name: Couroupita guianensis) is a spectacular South American tree to be planted in subtropical and tropical botanical gardens throughout the world. The tree got its name from the shape and size of its fruit which resembles a cannon ball. The fruit is large, spherical and woody ranging from 15 to 24cm in diameter. A single tree can bear as many as 200 or 300 fruits.

The fruit when mature falls from the tree and cracks open when it hits the ground, often causing the sound of a small explosion. Like coconut palms, the heavy nut is known to fall without notice and can cause serious injury to any victim who may be unfortunate enough to be under.

Although the Cannonball Tree is believed to be native to the tropical forests of north-eastern South America, according to old Indian texts, the tree has been growing in India for the past two or three thousand years at least hence it is possible that it is native to India also.

Largest Tree Transplanted

	Largest Tree Transplanted
		WHO: Senna Tree Company WHAT: 17.67 m (58 ft) tall WHERE: Los Angeles, California, USA WHEN: January 20, 1994
The largest tree to be transplanted was an oak tree (Quercus lobata), aged between 180-220 years and measuring 17.67 m (58 ft) tall, 31.6 m (104 ft) wide (branch-span), weighing approximately 415.5 tonnes (916,000 lb) and with a trunk girth of 5 m (16 ft 2 in). "Old Glory" was moved 0.4 km (0.25 miles) by Senna Tree Company (USA) to a new park in Los Angeles, California, USA on January 20, 2004