This green canopy is not a forest. It is a single tree. The world’s largest Cashew Tree of Pirangi also called (Maior Cajueiro do Mundo) in Natal, Brazil, covers more than 8,500 square meters, and its circumference is about 500 meters spreading across an entire city block. A natural giant hiding in plain view. It has the size of 70 normally sized cashew trees.
This tree is recognized {in 1994} by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest cashew tree.
Its immense size is attributed to a genetic anomaly that causes its branches to grow horizontally and bend downwards, rooting themselves in the soil and forming new trunks.
Only one of the tree’s five branches has a normal behaviour and stopped growing when it reached the ground. Locals call this branch “Salário mínimo”, or “Minimum wage”. The upkeep of Maior Cajueiro do Mundo is a somewhat controversial subject in the city of Natal. The tree is still growing and is now pushing against the boundaries of the park established for it. Without pruning, it will soon overrun one of the main roads through the city.
The tree produces 70 to 80 thousand cashew nuts or 2.5 tons annually.
Some say the tree was planted in 1888 by a hunter/fisherman called Luis Inacio de Oliver. Whilst others believe it is thousand of years old.
Strolling inside the sprawling canopy, you may think you are walking in an entire lush, green forest of cashew trees. Making the experience even more wonderful is the beautiful drive along the Brazilian coast down from Natal. Just follow the cashew-shaped signs and you will be at the tree in 20 minutes. Admission is cheap. Yes, they charge admission to a tree.
The tree is surrounded by an equal or greater amount of acreage dedicated to souvenir shops selling all sorts of cashew-themed souvenirs. The cashew-flavoured cachaca (a Brazilian sugar cane based alcohol) is highly recommended to bottle those memories of your visit to O Maior Cajueiro do Mundo, the World’s Largest Cashew Tree.
Tree Weaver 