April 22, 2025, 6:24 a.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
In the small town of Santa Maria del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca is a true natural wonder. The Árbol del Tule, a bald cypress, is considered the thickest tree in the world. Its age is also said to be truly biblical, and there is a beautiful local legend surrounding its creation. Every year a special festival is celebrated in his honor. But the natural wonder is now suffering from too many visitors.
If the biggest tourist attraction in a place is a tree, then it must be a very special specimen. And that is exactly the case with the Árbol del Tule, a bald cypress in the small Mexican town of Santa Maria del Tule. Because there is no simple tree here, but nothing less than the thickest tree in the whole world. The giant is so famous and popular that a festival is held in his honor every year. And of course it now attracts a lot of tourists to the place.
The data surrounding Árbol el Tule is impressive. Its trunk diameter is more than 14 meters and, according to the tree's official website, the trunk circumference is even 58 meters. With an estimated height of 42 meters and a volume of more than 800 cubic meters, the giant weighs around 636 tons. This would make it not only the thickest, but also one of the heaviest trees in existence. And then there is its biblical age, estimated to be up to 2,000 years old. And as befits such a majesty, there is also a beautiful legend surrounding the creation of the Taxodium Mucronatum, i.e. the Mexican bald cypress.
The legend about its creation
Accordingly, the Árbol del Tule is said to have once been planted by a priest named Pechocha. He dedicated the seed to the wind deity Ehécatl and subsequently looked after the tree that grew from it like a child. He is said to have guarded and cared for him all his life, even talking to him and singing to him. Over the years, a small sapling grew into one of the most magnificent and strongest trees in the entire region. And although there is no recorded evidence to support this story, it is firmly part of the folklore of the state of Oaxaca.
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Today the Árbol del Tule, which was even on the list for future UNESCO World Heritage monuments for several years, is literally the biggest attraction in the city of Santa Maria del Tule. Every year on the second Monday in October a big festival takes place in his honor. In addition to food and drink, there is also music, dancing and even a parade. Traditional ceremonies are also part of it to honor nature and ask for its protection. The festival attracts visitors from all over the world in droves.
The world record holder is in danger
But there has been concern about the thickest tree in the world for some time. There are fears that both climate change and increasing deforestation in the region could cause lasting damage to the Árbol del Tule. And last but not least, so many visitors now seem to be coming to the giant that this also gives rise to concerns. According to the official website, they are even considering introducing a daily visitor limit to the popular tree. It is said that corresponding initiatives, including for better protection of the environment, are already underway.
If you would like to see the Árbol del Tule yourself during a trip to Mexico, you have the opportunity to do so every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Then you can get very close to the giant. However, the park where the tree is located is open 24 hours a day. Entrance to the area where it stands currently costs 25 Mexican pesos, which is the equivalent of around one euro. And let's be honest: when do you ever have the chance to admire a real world record holder at such a price?
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