The trunk
42 m around in the 2005 measurement.
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The Árbol del Tule is a huge Montezuma cypress in the church grounds of the town of Santa María del Tule, on the road from Oaxaca city to Mitla. It has the stoutest tree trunk in the world, and local people call it an ahuehuete, Nahuatl for old man of the water. Its trunk measured 42 metres around in 2005, with a height of 35.4 metres. It was once thought to be several trees because of its size, but DNA tests showed it is one. Estimates of its age vary, with the best scientific figure between 1,433 and 1,600 years. A Zapotec tradition says a priest planted it about 1,400 years ago, which is close to the scientific estimate, though it remains a legend. You walk around the tree on a fenced path inside the garden, looking at the folds and great knots of the trunk, and local guides point out shapes in them. Its dense green branches shade the square, with a white decorated church beside it. A few steps away stands a smaller tree called the son of the tree. The town is 9.5 km in a straight line east of Oaxaca city, a short stop on the way to Mitla. The tree can be seen from outside the fence for free. Damage to its roots from water shortage, pollution and traffic was reported in 1990, so keep to the paths. The church is a place of worship, so respect service times.
42 m around in the 2005 measurement.
Shapes that local guides point out.
A smaller tree a few steps away.
Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca state
Yes, DNA tests showed a single tree, even though the trunk looks like several.
The garden has a small fee, but you can see the tree from outside the fence for free.