Santa Maria del Tule, Mexico
Travel Blog • Ben Keene • 04.21.06 | 11:02 AM ET
Coordinates: 17 2 N 96 37 W
Weight of tree: 636 tons
Speaking about Earth Day, the grassroots initiative he started on April 22, 1970, former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson remarked: “The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” Mi Amigo el Arbol, one example of an environmental group that shares this perspective, devotes itself to protecting Mexico’s most famous tree. Arguably the largest single biomass on the planet, the giant cypress known as the Arbol de Tule has been a constant presence for generations in the Oaxacan town of Santa Maria del Tule. It’s estimated to be over 2,000 years old. The tree’s health is now threatened by the strain human activity places on the aquifer beneath its ancient roots. Tomorrow marks the 36th anniversary of Earth Day.
—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.
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Mollie Foti 04.24.06 | 10:59 AM ET
It is a shame, isn’t it? Things we’d never think of that impact our planet. Following on Nelson’s remark, I’d submit a Kenyan proverb: “Treat the earth not as if it was given to you by your parents, but as if it was lent to you by your children.”
With four children and nine grandchildren, this really resonates with me.
Ron Mader 04.24.06 | 4:27 PM ET
Viva El Tule Tree!
Kudos to World Hum for covering one of my favorite towns in the world. For those interested, Planeta.com has published an essay
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/tule.html
and photo gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta/sets/1060635
I would encourage travelers heading to Oaxaca, Mexico to plan ahead and make time to visit Santa Maria del Tule. Too frequently visitors “do” the tree in 10 minutes and spend a minimum amount of money in the village.
Suebob 05.10.06 | 1:24 PM ET
El Arbol del Tule…the best part is the young kids who give you a tree tour for a few pesos. They point out animal and people shapes formed by the bark of the tree using hand mirrors as spotlight pointers. My favorite shape was on a smaller arbol “The Madonna’s Butt.” Yep, the shape on the tree did resemble healthy “pompis”