Widest tree in the world
Brief history about the most notable tree in the State of Oaxaca, ahuehuete with long branches and deep roots.
Belonging to the group of the Sabines or also known as ahuehuete, this specimen classified as Taxodium Mucronatum, has an approximate age of 2,000 years. Its age and dimensions have allowed it to be part of the indicative list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage.
Diámetro (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The biggest in the world
Regarding diameter, the "Tule" tree is considered the largest in the world with more than 14 meters, producing a circumference of approximately 45 meters.
Dimensiones (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Not the highest
Despite not being the highest, it reaches 45 meters, making the municipal palace and the temple look small next to it.
Enramada (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Weight and volume
Its approximate volume is 816 thousand cubic meters and its weight is more than 600 thousand tons.
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Myths and legends
There are two predominant legends regarding the origin of the tree, the Zapotecs, claim that approximately 1,400 years ago, the priest Pechocha, invoking the wind god Echécatl, sowed the seed that gave rise to the tree.
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On the other hand, the Mixes affirm that King Condoy, after abandoning the construction process that they were carrying out in Mitla, buried his cane to rest, immediately, the cane began to sprout until it became a magnificent example of ahuehuete.
Zapotec
Proud of their Zapotec origin, older adults in collaboration with the Center for Studies and Development of Indigenous Languages of Oaxaca and the 3 levels of government created a linguistic landscape in which signage can be read in Zapotec, Spanish and English.
Follaje (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Unattainable
Despite having branches that practically touch the ground, the crown of the tree looks distant and unreachable.
Farola (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Streetlight
Beautiful streetlights bring harmony to the spaces that surround the tree.
Verde. Árbol del Tule (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Tree health
Despite the fact that at the beginning of the 90s its health was threatened, currently its colors indicate that it will be part of the landscapes of Oaxaca for many more years.
The Virgin of the Assumption
Next to the imposing tree, is the temple dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, which was built in the seventeenth century.
This tree has at least "6 children" identified, the closest one is on the other side of the temple.
Figuras (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The figures
Children and young people of the community challenge visitors to find the figures that have been formed in the trunk and branches of the tree, highlighting the lion's head, the elephant, the crocodile and some more mischievous ones.
Inmenso (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
Smithy
Surrounded by a blacksmith's fence, the immense tree looks imposing.
Santa María del Tule (2021-09-28) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
The Tule
Natural wonder that stands in the State of Oaxaca.
The tree is assigned its own day in the community calendar, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October, in which a party is held in the municipality of Santa María del Tule.
We are grateful for all the facilities granted by the Santa María del Tule Town Hall for the realization of this story.
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