Mexico is distinguished by its impressive variety of vegetation and among all species, the Ahuehuete tree was appointed as the new national tree. This decision has a lot of history thanks to the fact that this species of specific tree has been an important part in the history of Mexico, In addition to being one of the longest and most old trees of our culture. Keep reading to learn a little more!
The name of the Ahuehuete comes from the Nahuatl. Wolfgang Kaehler / Getty images
The origin of his name
According to the National Forestry Commission, the word ahuehuete comes from the Nahuatl and means «An old water tree» Since this species grows in soils where there is a lot of water, that is, near the rivers. This Nahuatl name has served as a basis for some place names, such as Ahuehuepan «in the river of the Ahuehuetes«Or ahuehuetla» place of Ahuehuetes«. This tree is commonly known as ahuehuete in Mexico, but it is also known as Sabino, Mexican Ciprés, Ciprés de Moctezuma or Ahuehué in several parts of the world, but it is important to remember that S Sor scientific name is Taxodium mucronatum or Taxodium huegelii.
The Ahuehuete has witnessed the history of Mexico. DEA – Dani -jeske / Getty Images
A long life in Mexico
This tree has 2 thousand years of life, which makes it one of the oldest in our culture. The Ahuehuete is a native tree of the United States, Mexico and Guatemala and in 1921 it was designated as the Mexican national tree in the commemoration of the independence of that year, since thanks to its longevity The ahuehuetes are living witnesses in the history of Mexico and have seen the most important events in the country pass under their shadow. TOLagunos of the most important ahuehuetes in history They are the Tule tree, located in Santa María de Tule, Oaxaca, which has the world record as the tree with the wider diameter trunk in the world. The tree of the sad night, which is told that to its shelter Hernán Cortés the loss of almost half of his army during the escape to Tacuba and the son of the tree of the sad night, is in front of the place where Miguel Hidalgo gave the cry of independence, in Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato, Mexico.
From its appointment as a national tree, Ahuehuete has been considered a symbol of Mexico and its culture And that is why the capital authorities are currently planning to plant the new Ahuehuete in Reforma on June 5, when World Environment Day is celebrated.