Translation guide
A tree that is unusual, unfamiliar, or mysterious in appearance, type, or behavior. Japanese expressions depend on whether you mean 'unusual/rare', 'unfamiliar/unknown', or 'mysterious/eerie'.
The tree looks different from what is common, or its species is rarely seen.
The most natural way to say a tree that is uncommon or rare. '珍しい' means rare or unusual in a positive or neutral sense.
この公園には珍しい木がたくさんあります。
There are many strange (rare) trees in this park.
The tree is not recognized; the speaker doesn't know what kind it is.
Literally 'a tree one is not used to seeing'. Used when the tree is unfamiliar to the speaker.
見慣れない木があったので、写真を撮った。
There was a strange (unfamiliar) tree, so I took a picture.
The tree has a spooky, supernatural, or unsettling quality.
Means an eerie, creepy, or uncanny tree. Often used for trees in horror or ghost stories.
夜になると、その不気味な木が動くように見える。
At night, that strange (eerie) tree looks like it's moving.
珍しい (mezurashii) is the safest choice for 'rare' or 'unusual' in a neutral/positive way. 変わった (kawatta) implies 'odd' or 'different', often with a slightly negative or surprised tone. 奇妙な (kimyou na) is stronger, meaning 'bizarre' or 'strange', and is more literary.
The English word 'strange' covers many nuances. Directly translating 'strange tree' as ストレンジツリー or 奇妙な木 in every context may sound unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Means a tree that is odd or different from the norm. '変わった' implies something peculiar or unconventional.
あの庭に変わった木が生えているね。
There's a strange (odd-looking) tree growing in that garden.
Means a strange or bizarre tree, often with a nuance of being weird or fantastical. More literary or emphatic than '変わった'.
その奇妙な木は、まるで人の形をしていた。
That strange tree looked almost like a human figure.
Simply 'a tree I don't know'. Very straightforward and common in casual speech.
この知らない木の名前を調べたい。
I want to look up the name of this strange (unknown) tree.
Means a suspicious or dubious tree, often implying something hidden or magical. Can be used for mysterious, possibly dangerous trees.
森の奥に怪しい木が立っていた。
A strange (suspicious) tree stood deep in the forest.