Sacred Tree

One of the 6 sacred trees

Sacred trees (also known as spirit trees, big trees and tree of life; or Fig Tree in the game files) are giant, pale, oak-like deciduous trees scattered across the southern part of the Peninsula. These trees cannot be cut down or blown up. A smaller tree with a charred appearance sits in the middle of the village closest to the plane crash may be a dead sacred tree.

The great trees seem to hold some sort of significance to the cannibals and are regularly visited by their patrols. Unlike other objects and areas that are frequented by/seem to be of importance to the cannibals, the sacred trees and the areas immediately around them are left untouched; no huts are built near them. Effigies can still appear near them.

Gameplay

The player can stand on the branches of sacred trees, but since cannibals are able to jump high enough to reach the player there, it is not an entirely safe location.
It is also possible to construct buildings on the branches.

The sacred tree west of the yacht is a popular spot for bases, because it's surrounded by cliffs on three sides, which makes it easier to defend. However, it is unsuitable for players who prefer a stealthy play style because cannibal patrols are frequent in the area. On the other hand, a catapult can work wonders in this area as its angle can be utilised in the limited area to kill all invading cannibals without them being able to get out of the catapult's reach easily.

Trivia

Some in the community theorize that the sacred trees are objects of worship for the cannibals. However, whether any tribes pray near the trees or do anything other than regularly visit them is not apparent. The exact reason the cannibals frequent the trees and why the trees have grown so large is unknown.

Other theories are that cannibals might simply use the trees for orientation, as the towering giants are notable landmarks easily seen from a distance. Alternative theories posit the nocturnal cannibals may be attracted to the trees' faint glow in the moonlight (much like the player-generated light sources attract mutants). There might also be a mythical component to sacred trees, similar to the obelisks.

Locations

There are 6 sacred trees on the Peninsula.
1 - West of the bay with the yacht, on the cape
2 - Further west from the bay and west of the the submerged cave climb entrance
3 - At the eastern end of the bay
4 - South-southwest of the sinkhole and southeast of geese lake
5 - Southeast of the sinkhole, at a pond
6 - Tree in the middle of main village is a dead version of Big Tree

Gallery - Release 1.0

• 
  Sacred Tree Number 1.
  Sacred Tree at the hill close to the yacht
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 1.
  Yacht seen in the background
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 1.
  Popular location for building a base
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 1.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 2.
  Sacred Tree is located a short distance to Cave 5 Climbing entrance
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 2.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 2.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 2.
  Two sacred trees at one screenshot
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 3.
  In a short distance of Yacht and Hanging cave climbing entrance
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 3.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 3.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 3.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 4.
  Probably the most hidden Sacred Tree.
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 4.
  Before v1.0 was able to attach platform to tree.
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 4.
  Tree Base basic idea
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 4.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 5.
  Sacred Tree close to the Sinkhole
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 5.
  Two suitcases and two weak spear near the tree
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 5.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 5.
  
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 6.
  Dead Sacred Tree in the middle of Main Village
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 6.
  Cloth, suitcases and sodas under the tree
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 6.
  Hanging people
• 
  Sacred Tree Number 6.
  Probably a place of worship

Gallery

• 
  The sacred tree on the cape
• 
  West of the the submerged cave climb entrance.
• 
  East of the bay, with the cape in the background.
• 
  Southeast of geese lake, in the middle of the dense forest.
• 
  At a pond southeast of the sinkhole.
• 
  Another image of a Sacred Tree at the cape
• 
  Sacred Tree at the cape from inside the tree
• 
  Sacred Tree from the ground
• 
  Glowing sacred tree