Nature will find a way. Humans can tear them down and put up roads, buildings, signs, and seating, but the strongest, most stubborn tree will refuse to die.

Even when nature itself tries to break them, a few persevere.

Here are 15 hearty, funky, and downright wild-looking trees that decided that no one was the boss of them.

1. Can’t stop won’t stop

Hope you didn’t need that stop sign.

Trees don’t care about safe roadways. They were there first anyway.

2. Sacred Slurpee tree

This tree was so badass that even a corporation like 7-11 didn’t want to mess with it.

In an effort to respect nature (and encourage others to do the same), the builders of this Mexican outpost of the convenience store decided to inconvenience themselves by building around the mighty tree.

3. Thrown for a loop

Take a second look at just how enormous this loopy tree is – it’s touching the ground!

Was this house abandoned for a few decades while it happened or were people just like “eh, let’s see what happens?”

4. The wind in your hair

This carefree tree will take whatever nature throws its way.

And we’re sure it’s distracting display of strength has been blamed for more than one missed tee shot on the golf course.

5. Come, little children

Who said the forest is haunted?

This fallen tree only looks like a devil waiting for you to take a nice, long walk.

6. We’re out of grain

Apparently it’s been a while since this silo was used for storage.

We’re just impressed that this tree managed to take root and find enough sunlight to grow as high as it did.

Must be all that fiber in there.

7. We do what we want

We’re captivated by these snake-y pine trees. They’re real and they’re in a forest full of interesting foliage.

Just look up the Crooked Forest in Poland.

To this day, no one knows why the trees grew like this.

8. Have a seat

We’re going to pass on becoming tree food and just let nature take this bench.

Pro tip: Next time you’re planning your memorial bench, have them move it away from the tree a little bit further.

9. Who needs soil?

Pssht. Soil. Overrated.

Of course, this tree is getting nutrients from the Earth somehow – snaking its roots along cracks in the rocks – but it’s amazing to see it grow so big under such trying conditions.

Apparently it just liked the view from there the best.

10. Come on up

If this were a fantasy movie, this tree would be bending down to let little children safely climb up.

In reality, it’s clearly playing a game of “The Floor is Lava.” It really doesn’t want to touch the ground but it wants to show us just how close it can get.

11. Down but not out

If a tree falls into the forest and practically drowns and no one is around to hear it, apparently it will just find a way to grow upward from there.

That answers THAT philosophical question!

12. Nature vs Nature

We’re not sure who will eventually emerge victoriously.

Both sides refuse to surrender.

13. Booby trap

Guess you better look where you’re going in this funky forest. The trees will even trip you!

This is another photo from Poland’s awesome Crooked Forest in Gryfino.

14. Off the wall

You think human masonry can get the better of nature?

Think again, puny humans. This tree will grow right through your wall.

15. This railing is delicious

This railing is in alarmingly good shape for being eaten by a tree.

The infrastructure was good, but the positioning was clearly the problem.

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Just remember these trees next time you try to mess with nature.

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