The world’s largest cashew tree that cover an area of over 8,000 square meters

3 min read

1 year ago Danilo

You feel like you’re in a forest.
But you’re actually walking amidst the branches and trunks of a single giant tree!
Cajueiro de Pirangi, the Pirangi Cashew Tree in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, about 20 minutes South of Natal, is considered the world’s largest cashew tree with a circumference of around 500 meters and a covered area of 8,400 square meters.
The vicinity of the World’s Largest Cashew Tree in North Pirangi is also a main place for the sale of lace and embroidery in Rio Grande do Norte state.

According to the legend, it was planted in 1888 by a local fisherman who later died at the age of 93 under the shade of the humongous tree.
However, experts believe that, based on its growth characteristics, it is estimated to be more than a thousand years old.
However, one thing is for sure: this is no ordinary cashew tree, as it is the size of 70 normally sized cashew trees, and actually has to be seen from a special lookout point high above to be truly appreciated!
It produces over 60,000 cashew fruits per year and also attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over Brazil.

Well, but just how did the world’s largest cashew tree get so big?
Apparently, it has to do with a genetic anomaly that causes its branches to grow sideways rather than upwards.
Weight and gravity cause the branches to bend toward the ground and, as they make contact with the soil, new roots begin to form and the tree continues to expand.
Today is almost impossible to distinguish the initial trunk from the rest of the tree!
Located on Pirangi do Norte beach, in Rio Grande do Norte, it became one of the main local tourist attractions after the tree was recognized in 1994 by Guinness Records as the world’s largest cashew tree, and about 300,000 tourists visit the site every year.

Making the experience even more wonderful is the beautiful drive along the Brazilian coast down from Natal. The tree is located near the popular Praia de Pirangi (Pirangi Beach). Just follow the cashew-shaped signs and you will be at the tree in 20 minutes.
Admission is cheap and yes, locals charge admission to a tree!
Moreover, the tree is surrounded by an equal or greater amount of acreage dedicated to souvenir shops selling all sorts of cashew-themed souvenirs, including the cashew-flavored cachaca (a Brazilian sugar cane based alcohol), that is highly recommended to bottle those memories of your visit to O Maior Cajueiro do Mundo, the World’s Largest Cashew Tree.

Interestingly, the Pirangi Cashew Tree has some home soil competition for the title of the world’s largest cashew tree.
In fact, according to the state secretary of Tourism of Piauí, a cashew tree on the coast of Piauí is actually the world’s largest, covering an area of around 8,800 meters.
However, that claim has yet to be officially verified by Guinness Records…