Michael Carl’s tree photography celebrates the beauty, endurance, and scale of iconic trees across the American West, including bristlecone pine, giant sequoia, native oak trees, and coastal redwood. His images capture trees not just as subjects, but as long-living organisms shaped by wind, fire, water, geology and time. From the fortitude and resilience of bristlecone and foxtail pine in extreme alpine environments to the towering presence of giant sequoia and coastal redwood forests, the portfolio highlights the remarkable diversity of North American tree species.
Redwood forest photography of old growth trees with sapling in the mist and fog.
Tree photography taken inside Redwood National and State Parks of the morning sun creating God light in the forest.
Ancient whitebark pine tree stands tall against approaching storm in Crater Lake National Park Oregon.
Oak trees photographed growing along California's Coast Range.
Most folks put the giant sequoias as the reining monarchs of the Sierra and Inyo forests. However, this foxtail pine tree, in its unique way, endures in the harshest environment - high up on the steep, windswept granite ridges of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. What the scrappy pinus balfouriana lacks in size, it far exceeds in strength to survive!
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Tree Photography by Michael Carl
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest photographed at sunset in California's White Mountains.
Tree photography of light rays through Ponderosa pines in Yosemite National Park
Giant sequoia trees photography by Michael Carl
Sequoia tree photography by Michael Carl taken in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park
Redwood trees photography by Michael Carl
