As a self-described "company full of forest fanatics", Husqvarna say they are somewhat of an authority when it comes to assessing the quirks, beauty and uniqueness the world’s forests have to offer.
Their experts have now come together to produce a list which includes seven of the most breathtaking, which they say are well worth a visit.
Crooked Forest – Poland
There are so many theories around why these pines are twisted. Were they designed to grow this way to create furniture and abandoned during the war, or was it a bad snowstorm that pushed the trunks in to this position? Since 1930 there are 400 of them, making up part of a beautiful and unusual forest in Poland’s Gryfino.
Black Forest – Germany
The setting of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and with looming rich green evergreens, the Black Forest has more than just impressive trees going for it. Peppered with picturesque spa towns, thermal baths and vineyards, and if that wasn’t enough there are waterfalls, lakes and ancient stone bridges to discover. The sweeping valleys are imposing when the cloud draws in, but this is one place that looks all year round, no matter the weather.
Sagano Bamboo Forest – Kyoto
A hugely popular spot to take in these stunning bamboo trees, making it difficult to get a good photo without people in it! Head to the Arashiyama district in western Tokyo early in the morning and avoid the weekend to miss the crowds. It’s not just the bamboo’s good looks that draws the crowds, the Ministry of Environment included the Bamboo Forest here on a list of 100 Soundscapes of Japan. It’s part of the selection of everyday noises locals are encouraged to stop and enjoy.
Hallerbos Forest – Belgium
Known as ‘The Blue Forest’ for its colourful carpet of Bluebells and featuring giant Sequoia trees, this picture-perfect forest sits between Zenne and Zonien. Catch them in all their glory around mid-April when it gets popular with visitors. Most of the old trees here were removed by occupying German forces in World War 1, and reforestation brought it back to life.
Lake Kaindy - Kazakhstan
Eerie and beautiful, this fascinating forest is the result of an earthquake in 1911 that formed a dam, trapping the pines in rainwater ever since. Why haven’t they rotted away you may ask? The water is very cold, helping to preserve the roots that live underwater. It makes for interesting scenes, especially for ice divers, and as the surface freezes over in winter, the area becomes popular with ice fishing groups too.
Avenue of Baobabs - Madagascar
These huge and out of proportion Baobab’s are all over Madagascar. One grove lets you get up close with a road running right through, where the trees make people seem the size of ants. Over 20 of the trees are situated here, each over 30 metres high and over 800 years old. The most impressive fact has to be how they can hold 32,000 gallons of water, helping to defy drought conditions.
Gardens by the Bay – Singapore
Could this be the forest of the future? It certainly is a sight to behold in an urban setting and just might be a great solution to protecting wildlife and plant growth. This forest is made up of 18 man-made structures shaped like trees, standing at 25 to 50 metres tall. They are vertical gardens which visitors can walk amongst on an aerial walkway. Over 162,000 plants cover these structures which come alive at night with lights and sounds
