El Arbol de Tule

After we visited Monte Alban, we traveled to Tule to visit one of the largest trees in the world named El Arbol de Tule. Upon first sight of the Cypress, I was astounded. Over two thousand years of growth resulted in a tree with a diameter of over fourteen meters and a height of around fourty five meters. It was intimidatingly huge- my mind could simply not wrap itself around the size of the tree.  My mind kept trying to split it into multiple large trees, but it truly was one living organism. The branches were humungous, their weight dragging them towards the ground and often creating right angles to the trunk. The tree had many twists and irregularities within it. There were bulges and crevices and a large gnarled knot that looked like a four-headed lion trying to claw its way out of the tree. The bark was rough and the feather-like leaves created a screen against the outside world. Unfortunately a wide piece of ground was fenced off around the tree so we couldn't touch the trunk or sit right under the tree as I desperately wanted to do. At some places the branches overhung the fence and we could stand inside a living curtain. I stood inside one of these branches and leaned on the fence, staring up at the magestic tree. A cool breeze whistled through the branches and the sun made dappled patterns on the ground. Tiny brown and white birds fluttered in and around the branches, filling the air with their song. It was so peaceful and beautiful, standing there and looking at the regal tree. I wanted to stay there for hours but eventually we had to pile in the van and head back. A heavy rain started to fall when we got home, filling the air with petrichor and my thoughts with the life-giving power of water to plants and trees like El Arbor de Tule.
-Peace out! Love, Rachael