10 Impressive Progress Photos Of Trees Growing Up And Making Spaces Greener

Trees, trees, trees! We might not be Ents or Elves, but in our humble opinion, there isn’t enough wild nature in the world. One of the things that we love the most about the outdoors, aside from all the cuddly critters and creatures, is taking a long walk in the forest. And it’s a wonderful feeling to look out the window and see a sea of greenery.

We’re not the only ones who think so! The members of one online community, ‘Trees Growing Up,’ share some of the most powerful before-and-after photos of places where saplings were planted and grew into mighty trees, improving the area. Today, we’re featuring the best pics. Scroll down to take a peek! Meanwhile, go hug some trees during your lunch break—we’re sure they’d appreciate it.

Pictolic wanted to learn a bit more about before-and-after shots and taking photos in nature, so we got in touch with Ohio-based photographer Dominic Sberna. He was kind enough to share some of his expertise with us.

10 PHOTOS

#1 Amazing

A couple decided to rebuild their deserted piece of land of 600 hectares in Aimorés, Brazil. They planted more than 2 million tree saplings. As a result, the site has 293 plant species, 172 bird species, and 33 animal species, some of which were on the verge of extinction. Took 18 years

#2 Amazing - 125 Years Of Growth

#3 A Dad And His Tree At 4 And 63 Years Old

According to photographer Dominic, from Ohio, if you want to capture nature in the natural sense while taking pictures, it's "best to leave things as they are."

"I'm a big believer in the 'Leave No Trace' ideal and movement. It's fine to take modern necessities into nature, but do not leave them there," he said, urging everyone to respect the environment that they're in.

"The area of nature you are photographing should be left as you've found it," Dominic told Bored Panda.

"Your photos should mimic this ideal if you want to capture a scene authentically."

#4 Boston Big Dig Before, 2004, 2024

#5 Forestation Of Uluborlu, Isparta In Turkey ( 34 Years Difference)

#6 10-Year Growth Of Trees Native To The Philippines On A College Campus

Meanwhile, the photographer gave some to-the-point advice for taking before-and-after photos of specific locations.

He said that the essence is to capture these images as closely as possible. This includes doing your research and lining up the shot to match the angles of the earlier photos.

"Sometimes, areas have changed and it can be a challenge. So long as you've done your due diligence, I'm sure the results will be great," Dominic told Bored Panda.

Forest bathing, known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a practice where you spend time in a forest listening to the sounds of birds and insects, touching trees, smelling flowers, breathing in the fresh air, and generally enjoying your surroundings.

Reportedly, this improves your immune system, improves your mental health and mood, and decreases your blood pressure and stress levels.

#7 Norway Maple 1987-2017

#8 The Connecticut River Valley Looking North From The Summit Of Mount Holyoke In Hadley, Massachusetts 1900 And 2022

#9 Bishan Park, 30 Years Apart. Top Pic, 1988. Bottom Pic, 2020

Look, full disclosure, but if yours truly could live anywhere, I’d have a house in the middle of a forest or jungle, near some mountains and the sea. Even though we’re all so advanced and have easy access to amazing technologies and comforts, living surrounded by concrete, glass, and steel can be demoralizing. Not just emotionally but aesthetically.

Our ancestors lived deeply connected to nature. Instinctively, we yearn for the same things. Being in harmony with nature and civilization is the balance that many people, including us, look for. Spending time in nature has a calming effect, reduces stress, and is generally far more peaceful than being surrounded by the 24/7 hustle and bustle of city life. From a very personal perspective, there’s nothing like an hour-long stroll among the trees to clear your head.

The Guardian reports that deforestation is on the rise once again. “The destruction of global forests increased in 2023, and is higher than when 140 countries promised three years ago to halt deforestation by the end of the decade,” Environment Editor Damian Carrington writes. In 2021, 140 countries backed the 2030 zero deforestation pledge at the United Nations COP26 climate summit.

In 2023 alone, 6.4 million hectares (that’s 16 million acres) of forest were razed in 2023 according to a recent report by Climate Focus, a research group. Deforestation spiked sharply in Indonesia, as well as Bolivia due to demands for beef, soy, palm oil, paper, and nickel. Political changes in these countries contributed to the loss of forest cover, too.

#10 Mosquito Crossing, Greensboro Georgia (1939 vs. 2021)