April 22, 2025, 9:32 am | Read time: 3 minutes

In the small town of Santa Maria del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca lies a true natural wonder. The Árbol del Tule, a Montezuma cypress, is considered the thickest tree in the world. It is said to be truly ancient, and a beautiful local legend surrounds its origin. Each year, a festival is held in its honor. However, this natural marvel is now suffering from too many visitors.

The statistics surrounding the Árbol del Tule are impressive. Its trunk diameter is more than 14 meters, and the trunk circumference is 58 meters, according to the tree’s official website. With an estimated height of 42 meters and a volume of more than 800 cubic meters, the giant weighs about 636 tons. This makes it not only the thickest but also one of the heaviest trees in existence. Then there’s its biblical age, estimated to be up to 2,000 years. As befits such a majestic tree, a beautiful legend surrounds the origin of the Taxodium Mucronatum, or Montezuma cypress.

The Legend of Its Origin

According to legend, the Árbol del Tule was planted by a priest named Pechocha. He dedicated the seed to the wind deity Ehécatl and cared for the growing tree like a child. He is said to have watched over and nurtured it throughout his life, even speaking and singing to it. Over the years, a small sapling grew into one of the most magnificent and robust trees in the entire region. Although there is no documented evidence for this story, it is an integral part of the folklore in the state of Oaxaca.

Today, the Árbol del Tule, which was even on the list for future UNESCO World Heritage sites for a few years, is the proverbial largest attraction in the town of Santa Maria del Tule. Every year, on the second Monday of October, a grand festival is held in its honor. In addition to food and drink, there is music, dance, and even a parade. Traditional ceremonies are also part of the festivities to honor nature and seek its protection. The celebration attracts visitors from all over the world in droves.

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The World Record Holder Is in Danger

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However, there has been some concern about the world’s thickest tree for some time. There are fears that both climate change and increasing deforestation in the region could cause lasting damage to the Árbol del Tule. Additionally, the sheer number of visitors to the giant has become a cause for concern. According to the official website, there is even consideration of introducing a daily visitor limit for the popular tree. Initiatives for better environmental protection are reportedly already underway.

Anyone who wants to see the Árbol del Tule during a trip to Mexico can do so every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can get up close to the giant. The park where the tree is located is open around the clock. The entrance fee to the grounds where it stands is currently 25 Mexican pesos, which is roughly one euro. And honestly, when else do you get the chance to admire a true world record holder at such a price?