El Árbol del Tule: Mexico's Ancient, Colossal Montezuma Cypress

In the churchyard of Santa María del Tule, a small town in Oaxaca state, stands the stoutest tree on Earth: El Árbol del Tule (The Tree of Tule).

Vital Statistics

• Species: Montezuma Cypress (Taxodium mucronatum), Ahuehuete in Nahuatl ("old man of the water").
• Circumference: 36.2 m (118.8 ft) — widest trunk diameter globally (11.62 m / 38.1 ft).
• Height: 35.4 m (116 ft).
• Estimated Age: 1,200–2,000 years (some estimates up to 3,000; DNA suggests single genetic individual).
• Weight: ~636 tonnes (including roots).
• Canopy: ~2,000 m² shade coverage.

Cultural Significance

• Zapotec Legend: Planted by priest Pehuajo ~1,400 years ago as a sacred offering to Ehecatl (wind god).
• Name: Tule from Nahuatl tullin (bulrush/reed)—the area was a marsh.
• Festival: Second Monday of October — Fiesta del Árbol del Tule (processions, dances, mass).
• UNESCO: On tentative World Heritage list (2001).

Biological Marvel

• Grows in seasonal wetlands; roots tolerate inundation.
• Buttressed trunk provides stability in wet soil.
• Survived lightning strikes, fungal infections, urbanization, and a 1990 highway project (rerouted after protests).
• Genetic analysis confirms it's a single tree, not fused multiple trunks.

Visiting

• Location: Church atrium, Santa María del Tule, 12 km east of Oaxaca City (Hwy 190).
• Access: Easy day trip from Oaxaca (bus, taxi, tour). Small entry fee (~$1.50) supports maintenance.
• Best time: Dry season (Nov–Apr) for clear photos; festival in October.

Other Giant Mexican Trees

• El Sabino (Giant Cypress) — Nuevo León; 2nd widest in Mexico.
• Tule's "Children" — Several younger ahuehuetes planted nearby.

El Árbol del Tule is not just a biological record-holder—it's a living witness to Mesoamerican history, a spiritual anchor, and a testament to community stewardship across centuries.