A Giant Tule Tree, Milta, Mexico. 



THE CIRCUMFERENCE lb 145 FEET TWO INCHES AND THE TREE HAS BEEN A SILENT WITNESS OF 

 THE PASSAGE OF SEVERAL CIVILIZATIONS 



WORLD'S LARGEST TREE TRUNK 



THE giant tule tree which stands 

 in the little churchyard at 

 Mitla, ]\Iexico, is an object 

 of interest to many tour- 

 ists. It is said to have the largest trunk 

 of any tree in the world. Its circum- 

 ference at its largest point measures 

 145 feet and 2 inches. So large is this 

 trunk that a full grown man when 

 standing by it appears to be of insig- 

 nificant size. The ancient tree is great- 

 ly reverenced by the native of that part 

 of Mexico. In passing beneath its 

 overspreading branches these simple- 

 minded people never fail to tarry a 

 moment and pay quiet devotion to the 

 great monument of nature. 



The age of this tree is a matter of 

 conjecture. It is said to be no larger 

 now than when it was first discovered 



by the Spanish hosts which followed 

 Hernando Cortez to the shore of Mex- 

 ico nearly four centuries ago, says the 

 American Lumberman. According to 

 the theory of some scientists the tree 

 has been silent witness to several dif- 

 ferent civilizations. Within its shadow, 

 almost, are the prehistoric ruins of 

 Alitla, which are of never-failing inter- 

 est to all archaeologists. To the roman- 

 tic mind may be pictured the scene of 

 this giant tree looking down upon the 

 prehistoric people as they builded the 

 great structures which now stand in 

 ruins at its very feet. The tree bids 

 fair to stand through coming centuries 

 and, perhaps, witness other changes in 

 the human progress of events of a^ 

 great moment as those which it has al- 

 ready passed through. 



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