Trees of the World

About Trees of the World

Travel the world's forests to discover remarkable trees — from the tallest redwoods to ancient baobabs — and learn what makes each one truly special. Trees of the World packs 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 7 easy, 5 medium, 3 hard questions into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.

A few sample questions

1. 1. What is the tallest type of tree in the world?

   Answer: Coast Redwood

   The Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) holds the record for the world's tallest trees. The current champion, a tree named Hyperion in California, stands over 380 feet tall.

2. 2. The baobab tree is famous for its enormous trunk that can store water. On which continent do most baobab trees grow?

   Answer: Africa

   Of the world's eight baobab species, seven grow in the African region — six on the island of Madagascar and two on mainland Africa (one of which reaches the Arabian Peninsula), with just one species native to Australia. Their massive trunks can store thousands of gallons of water, helping them survive long dry seasons.

3. 3. Which tree produces acorns as its fruit?

   Answer: Oak

   Oak trees are the only trees that produce acorns. Squirrels and many other animals rely on acorns as a key food source, and buried forgotten acorns often sprout into new oaks.

4. 4. A tree called Methuselah is famous for being one of the oldest living trees on Earth. Roughly how old is it?

   Answer: About 4,800 years old

   Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine growing in California's White Mountains, is about 4,800 years old — making it one of the oldest known individual trees on Earth.

5. 5. Which tree is known for its beautiful white bark that peels away in papery strips?

   Answer: Paper Birch

   The Paper Birch (also called White Birch) is recognized by its bright white bark that peels in thin, papery layers. Native Americans historically used birch bark to make canoes and baskets.

Things you'll learn along the way

• ✓Cherry blossom trees belong to the genus Prunus, which also includes plums, peaches, and almonds. Japan's annual cherry blossom season, called hanami, has been celebrated for over a thousand years.
• ✓The Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree, meaning it loses its leaves in autumn and regrows them in spring. It is also famous for producing the sap used to make maple syrup.
• ✓Giant Sequoias grow naturally only on the western slopes of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The largest individual, General Sherman, contains enough wood to build about 40 average-sized houses.