4The Tree of Tenere, Niger
Once considered the most isolated tree on Earth, the Tree of Tenere was a solitary acacia that stood alone in the vast Sahara Desert in Niger. It was the only tree for hundreds of miles, a lonely sentinel that had survived in one of the harshest environments on the planet. The Tree of Tenere was a landmark for travelers and a symbol of life’s persistence in the face of extreme adversity. Tragically, the tree was knocked down by a truck driver in 1973, and today, a metal sculpture stands in its place as a tribute to this remarkable tree.