41. Pioneer Cabin Tree, California

The Pioneer Cabin Tree, also known as The Tunnel Tree, was a giant redwood tree and probably the most famous tree in the US. It was estimated to be over 1,000 years old, which is pretty darn old even for how long-lived trees are. At some point, someone got the brilliant idea to start carving tunnels in the trunk of these massive trees so pedestrians and later cars can drive through them.

It’s a cool idea but also… what did they expect to happen when hollowing out the foundations of a tree? Tragically, the tree was felled in 2017 during a rainstorm that flooded its surroundings. It is important to know, it has also been damaged to the point of hollowness by lightning strikes and forest fires. Yeesh.