Traditionally, tree tattoo designs symbolize knowledge, growth, and wisdom, while also being linked to strength, spirituality, nourishment, immortality, fertility, and freedom.

Trees are known as the ultimate symbol for majestic beauty and enduring strength over time, and are the essential providers of that most basic element of our survival, oxygen. 

Because they’ve been a highly used symbol of life and healing in historic texts, folklore, and fiction, trees give us an affinity for nature. 

Many tree tattoos – particularly popular in Norse and Celtic tattoo culture – incorporate the Tree of Life, often demonstrated by circular tree artwork with branches and roots intertwined.

For others, specific types of trees are used as inspiration. There is a great range of tree species for collectors to choose from; recognizable trees such as the oak tree, redwood tree, or weeping willow tree, or harder to pick motifs such as the aspen tree, ash tree, or birch tree brought to life on the skin.

The following article outlines some of the most important tree tattoo concepts across symbolic meaning and specific tree ink expressions, to style and applications techniques. It will provide you with plenty of options to take to your tattoo artist.

1. The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is an archetype, with similar variations across all continents and cultures. It’s a classical symbolically and relevant tattoo design that offers a great intersection between meaning and art

The Tree of Life design represents the interconnected nature of the world, with all the different life on this planet falling under the eaves of this mystical tree. It provides a physical representation of the divine nature of all life, from the heights of humanity all the way to the lowliest beetle – we are all one cosmic entity.