8. THE STOUTEST TRUNK IN THE WORLD: ÁRBOL DEL TULE
While many of the world’s largest tree species are located in California, Árbol del Tule makes this list thanks to having the stoutest trunk in the world. Its Nahuatl name, ahuehuete meaning “old man of the water,” certainly lives up to its 1,400 years of age.
A Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum), measurements place Árbol del Tule's diameter at 30.8 feet — an impressive accomplishment given that it is "only" 116 feet tall. The local Mixe people believe that this tree took root from the walking stick of a God.