El Tule: Location of the Widest Tree in the World
We all know about those massive living specimens inhabiting the state of California. Some prefer the chilly winds of the Sierra Nevada while others are happier experiencing the foggy mornings next to the Pacific Ocean. I am referring to sequoias and redwoods. Sequoias are the largest trees in the world in terms of volume. Redwoods are the taller trees in the world (reaching heights of 370 feet). But there is another species taking the lead role in terms of widest trunk or largest diameters. In the small town of Santa Maria del Tule (Oaxaca), a massive Montezuma cypress is famous for having the “stoutest trunk in the world.” The tree at El Tule (locals call the town in this way), is known as an “ahuehuete” or “sabino” in Spanish. Don’t get confused. Many people call the tree “Arbol de Tule” or Tule tree. Tule is an aquatic plant that grew once in the area because it used to be a swamp (that is why the town got the name). The correct way to call it is “Arbol del Tule” or the t...