12/04/2025
In the small, charming town of Santa María del Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico, you’ll find a living legend that will simply take your breath away: the Arbol del Tule (The Tule Tree).
This Montezuma Cypress is thought to be over 1,500 years old, making it a true elder of the plant kingdom. But its real claim to fame? It has the thickest tree trunk in the world! The trunk is a massive 38 feet wide—that’s wider than many small homes! It looks like a whole forest of trees merged into one, but scientists confirm it’s a single, resilient organism. You’d need over 30 adults holding hands just to circle its base!
Locals have always revered this giant, with some legends saying it was planted by an ancient Aztec priest. If you look closely at its gnarled, twisting bark, you can see nature’s own sculptures—people say they spot shapes of animals like lions, elephants, and even a crocodile!
Even after centuries, this "Tree of Life" is still healthy and vibrant.
In the small, charming town of Santa María del Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico, you’ll find a living legend that will simply take your breath away: the Arbol del Tule (The Tule Tree).
This Montezuma Cypress is thought to be over 1,500 years old, making it a true elder of the plant kingdom. But its real claim to fame? It has the thickest tree trunk in the world! The trunk is a massive 38 feet wide—that’s wider than many small homes! It looks like a whole forest of trees merged into one, but scientists confirm it’s a single, resilient organism. You’d need over 30 adults holding hands just to circle its base!
Locals have always revered this giant, with some legends saying it was planted by an ancient Aztec priest. If you look closely at its gnarled, twisting bark, you can see nature’s own sculptures—people say they spot shapes of animals like lions, elephants, and even a crocodile!
Even after centuries, this "Tree of Life" is still healthy and vibrant.