Mother Nature is pretty incredible. For some of us who have been fortunate to travel around the world, and step foot in some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, we know just how amazing she is first hand. Those who prefer to be in cities, though, have also had a taste of what Mother Nature is like. Tendrils of greenery can be seen wherever you look. Dandelions can poke through the cracks in sidewalks, and entire abandoned malls can be reclaimed by the forest. Keep scrolling to see some of the most incredible pictures of urban areas and structures that have been taken back by the Earth.
Bike Eaten By Tree
You may have heard or even read the children’s book, Red Ranger Came Calling, and if so, then you would have noticed this exact tree submerged around a bicycle.
Found on Vashon Island in Washington, the bicycle is about 7ft from the ground. There are a few legends as to how the bike ended up there, from a soldier never returning from the war through to a boy who left it there because he simply grew up and more! Although none have ever been proven.
Exposed To The Elements
The oceans of the world are vast and mysterious places. They cover approximately 70% of the Earth, which means many buildings are subject to the harsh salt-laden spray that gets blown in from the shore.
This saltwater actually works to erode buildings at a much faster pace, than those that are landlocked. If you take a look at this building, you can see that the waves that constantly crash against it are causing it to slowly melt back into the ocean.
War Remains
During World War Two, many airplanes were deployed to the Pacific to fight in the war effort. As you can see, a number of them ended up crashing into watery lagoons in South Pacific countries like the Philippines.
These small aircraft that went down, have stayed entombed in the murky depths of the ocean. However, they have also started to be claimed by the ocean, and small schools of fish and coral can be seen growing on some of them. This has made them excellent sites for snorkeling and diving for the more adventurous traveler. Kayakers also enjoy staring down at them, as they paddle by.
These Tracks Are Closed
While train travel is still incredibly popular in Europe, Japan, and many other places, there are others where the tracks have fallen into some disrepair. In one location, a large viaduct was built to support the railway that often came through this segment of the forest, but for whatever reason, this route was eventually closed.
Slowly, the fern-filled forest surrounding the viaduct began to grow up the sides, and almost completely cover it in foliage. The viaduct itself is pretty much camouflaged now, and it has definitely become a part of Mother Nature once more. This would be a great spot to hike through.
Stop
The thing about trees is that they like to grow. Somehow a tree can take root in the middle of a house, or a road, and simply start sprouting new branches until it has completely taken over the area. For this tree, someone decided to hang a few signs on it, as it is nature’s signpost.
The only problem with this idea is that the tree decided that it would rather grow up around the sign, then have the sign dangling off. This STOP sign is now a part of the tree, rather than an accessory. It almost appears as if the tree is eating the sign, which means stopping here may no longer be necessary.
Autumn Colors
Whoever owns this little cottage is truly lucky. Situated on its own little island, and surrounded by tall red-leaved trees, the owner gets to experience the seasons in all of their glory. This little island is truly special, the tall birch trees that drape over the house majestically work to shield it from the elements, but also to provide some gorgeous views.
We bet whoever gets to cozy up inside, spends some time gazing out at the lake, and drinking something nice and warm, while Mother Nature changes the seasons around them. Maybe this one will show up on Airbnb!
Out Of Control Houseplants
Houseplants definitely have the power to warm up a room. All of that freshly made oxygen floats around and creates a positive environment. For this family’s apartment, they decided to keep a small tree on their balcony.
Over time that tree began to grow, and its roots now drape down the side of the building the way you see here. In fact, it appears as if the tree itself is beginning to take over the building or become one with it.
A Little Overgrown
It seems like people are always forgetting their shoes in odd places. You can be walking along the road, or in the middle of the woods when you stumble across a single shoe here or there. We’re always left wondering where the matching shoe is?
For this person, and maybe it was the wood nymph version of Cinderella, they left one of their mossy shoes on a bed of pine needles for the forest to have.
An Abandoned Castle
Castles are pretty amazing structures. They have managed to be built by hundreds of hands, stone by stone, and withstand hundreds of years. This small Redstone castle looks like it was once the home of an elite family.
Now, as the years have gone by, and it has fallen into a bit of disrepair the pine trees around it have decided to take root. Nature is slowly starting to take back this castle and make it a more green one.
Abandoned Ferris Wheel
Out in Cleveland, Ohio, there is an abandoned amusement park that was once filled with families having fun and now, nature is taking advantage of the park.
Once a place where 50,000 people used to live, the area is practically a ghost town. People have come forward with different pictures that show them riding this very Ferris wheel back in the day.
Fish Take Over
Believe it or not, fish have taken over this abandoned mall in Bangkok, Thailand. In the early ’90s, the mall was a bustling shopping hot spot but after being shut down in 1997, something else happened.
Shortly after it was closed, due to breaching building regulations, there was a fire that saw the building lose its roof. Following the rainy season, the mall filled with water. Since then, tilapia fish have thrived this and now call the place home.
Car Graveyard
Found in Belgium, Germany in a small town called Chatillon, this car graveyard is the result of some rather odd global politics. The cars placed here are all classic American vehicles. Legend has it, that the cars were left there during World War Two.
Apparently, it was American soldiers that parked them here in this Belgian forest with the hope of transferring them home once the war was over.
Tree Roots
This amazing picture is certainly something that you don’t see every day. As a sidewalk has been built around a tree, rather than being trapped in its growth cycle, this tree is breaking free!
Roots not only keep a tree stable but they also absorb nutrients and water from the ground. Here, the roots have slid over the gaps int he pavement looking for food.
Returning To The Sea
While most castles are on land, someone decided to strategically place this one on a tiny island in what looks like the Mediterranean. Whoever lived here in the olden days, must have had a ship or other seaworthy vessel in order to make it home each day.
As you can see, some foliage has begun to spring upon its rocky walls, and vines are starting to overtake the entire structure. In another ten years, this place might just be all green, and less gray.
A Disembodied Head
Buddhism is a very peaceful religion, and usually, Buddha’s head is accompanied by a body. In this lagoon, which has mangrove trees growing throughout it, Buddha’s body is made up of the tree roots, which has created a bit of an unnerving effect.
Buddha may be smiling serenely, but his head is all that can be seen! The mangrove trees are slowly starting to take over, and Buddha is starting to grow into them, all with a giant smile on his face.
A Blast From The Past
Back in the 1960s, German-made Volkswagen vans were all the rage. Not only did they look cool, but you could open up the top and turn it into a bed. It was the ultimate campervan, which found bell-bottom wearing hippies flocking to them.
This VW van looks like it never quite made it out of the 1960s though, and the original owners must have just left it parked in the woods for Mother Nature to use. She definitely gave it a bit of a natural makeover.
Sail Away
Have you ever dreamed of sailing the high seas? For this boat, it seemed like they didn’t quite make it out to sea, and instead got grounded on a sandbar before they could continue on their voyage.
As the sandbar is close to shore, some seeds were carried over from the mainland by some enterprising birds. Now, this shipwreck has turned into an amazing ecosystem in which both aquatic, and shore animals can live together in it.
Brick And Mortar
Many industrial zones often fall into disuse when the industries they are producing goods for don’t need anymore. This brickyard used to do a booming business, and churn out bricks for all of the houses in the area to use.
Unfortunately, things like prefabricated walls became popular and the brickyard was abandoned. The forest saw this as an opportunity to move in and take back the land, which has turned this into a green paradise.
Two Trees
As you stare down at the small sunken boat encased in these turquoise waters, you might be a bit confused about what you are seeing. This aerial shot, actually shows that two trees have managed to take root here, and begin to grow.
Saltwater doesn’t allow many types of trees to take root, which makes us think there must be mangroves. They tend to thrive in environments that have saltwater, and these two seem to be growing just fine!
No Signs Here
Trees seem to have all of the power. They can grow almost anywhere, and their trunks can absorb things like signs as we previously saw. Here is another instance of a tree trunk absorbing a sign.
This tree seems to want all of the residents to be able to park for as long as they want, which is very considerate of it. Now, all it needs to do is finish eating the sign, so nobody gets in trouble for parking for longer than two hours.
A Speck Of Road
Before cement and tar were created and used to make roads, we had simple dirt tracks that we wandered around on, and followed to the nearest village. In parts of the world, dirt roads are still very much a reality, but for this forest path, it seems like the cement has all been worn away.
Now, all that’s left is a simple smudge of orange, which shows where the line separating the two lanes once was.
Picture Perfect
Mother Nature seems to really have a thing for boats. As soon as a boat or a ship is no longer in use, or has sunk, she begins to send out seeds to take back these man-made structures. This small barge was moored and then left for a number of years.
Over time, stalks of grass, and other vegetation began to grow on it, which makes it look like something out of a painting. We bet Monet wouldn’t have minded adding this one to his garden collection.
In The Jungle
What this stone building once was is hard to tell. Maybe it was a temple where people came to worship some long-forgotten gods, or perhaps it was a wealthy family’s jungle getaway. It is fun to imagine what might have happened here.
The jungle though knows it exactly what went on, but it is keeping that a secret. As it grows up around the stone skeleton that is all that’s left, the jungle is the one who is making this a home once more.
A Witch’s Cottage
This small stone cottage looks like it is straight out of a fairytale. You can imagine a witch standing in the entranceway, beckoning passerby in to witness some magic, and perhaps a stirring of a cauldron to make potions.
The trees reaching out of its thatched roof only add to this magical effect. The moss draped over the stones is particularly entrancing, which gives the whole forest setting an ethereal feel. We definitely want to visit this place.
Reach For The Sky
Just as we have seen that the ocean won’t stop Mother Nature from taking over, height is not a problem either. These tall brick towers are part of an industrial complex and reach up what looks like 50 feet into the sky.
Sometimes, seeds were deposited into the top of these hollow brick tubes, and trees have managed to grow up and touch the sky. We hope the trunks don’t expand too much though, or these bricks will come crashing down.
Temple Time
Cambodia is a country that is dotted with temples, especially in the city of Siem Reap where Angkor Wat, the most famous temple of all is situated. If you visit some of the lesser-known temples in the area, you will come across this one.
It has trees and their roots growing throughout the entire complex, which shows that over thousands of years man-made structures and the jungle can cohabitate very happily together.
A Forgotten Church
This might just be one of the most beautiful abandoned churches in the world. It is no longer used for services, and the forest has begun to use it for its own purposes. You can see through the sun-dappled shadows, that leafy branches are busy making a home amongst the pews, and green moss is starting to add some color to the whitewashed walls.
We have to admit, this would be a great venue for a wedding if you want that all-natural effect.
Piano Man
Last but not least, it is time for some music. Somebody happened to leave a piano in the forest, and Mother Nature decided that she wanted to hear some nice tunes. As she only has trees and other plants at her disposal, this tree decided to give playing the piano a try.
Although, like a tree, the only thing it can really do is grow, and right through the piano as this one did. We have to admit, all of these instances of Mother Nature reclaiming spaces are pretty beautiful, and we definitely want to visit all of these spots!
The Gatekeeper At The Putzar Castle
Nature will always find a way to make things work. This image is of the Putzar castle in the village of the same name in northwest Germany and, as we can see, a tree started growing on top of an arched brick passage.
It’s incredible how much weight this gate can withstand when you see the size of the tree!
Tree Growing Inside Silo
Imagine how long was this silo abandoned for that a tree managed to grow this big. Nature took her time to get this tree to grow inch by inch following the source of light.
The trunk is as long as the silo and the tree top outspread at the rim. The people who found this while exploring took wonderful pictures.
Houtouwan Fishing Village
The abandoned fishing village of Houtouwan on Shengshan Island, China, was once a booming and lively place where people wished to settle. But when the fishing industry began to slowly diminish, people started leaving town.
The vines grew out of control over the stones and houses, the green engulfed the town completely. This misty town has been reclaimed by nature.
Tree Inside The Stop Sign
Somewhere in the United States someone found this natural quagmire. We will never truly know how it was possible for a seed to find the inside of a stop sign as a place to grow into a tree.
But it happened and the tree managed to fully grow inside the sign structure without problems. Nature never ceases to amaze us.
Railroad Tracks In The Forest
Somewhere in the forests of Taiwan, the forest decided to take over these abandoned train tracks. Moss and vegetation started covering up the wood of the tracks, slowly blending in with its surroundings.
It looks like these tracks have been neglected for quite some time by the amount of greenery that has covered it up. Truly a sight to behold!
This Vine Silenced My Wind Chime
Vines are quite incredible plants, they climb and support themselves by using either twining stems, tendrils, aerial roots or adhesive disks called hold fasts.
In this picture we can see that the vine found a way from the chair to the wind chime and who knows, maybe the house is next! That chime won’t be making soothing sounds any time soon!
Real Grass, Fake Grass
Nature is not without a sense of irony! These people surely gave up on trying to grow a healthy lawn. But, as we can see in the photograph, real grass managed to grow through the synthetic grass.
Maybe the moisture captured by the plastic panels lead to the seeds to properly germinate and grow into a tuft of grass!
Forgotten Agave
What happens if you forget a plant in an abandoned greenhouse? Well, it will grow to its heart’s desire! Such was the case with this forgotten agave.
Its leaves are now the size of the tentacles of a deep-sea monster. Agaves live for 15 years, if no one comes to tend to it, it will dry out on its own.
Tree Growing Through A Stone Wall
This stubborn tree would not let anything get in its way to success, not even a stone brick wall.
It managed to fit and bend when it was growing and now a full-size tree trunk is emerging from in between the stone bricks! What would happen if the wall crumbled? Is the trunk paper thin in between the bricks?
Abandoned Bridge In New Zealand
This abandoned bridge in New Zealand replaced traffic with trees and a rush hour of greenery. After some time unattended, Nature slowly started to crawl all over the structure.
Trees and bushes occupied its street in a static jam that won’t ever bother anyone. It looks like a very peaceful place now in contrast to what it used to be.