Maior cajueiro do mundo

The largest cashew tree in the world (Portuguese maior do mundo cashew tree ) on the beach of Pirangi do Norte in the town Parnamirim twelve kilometers south of Natal, the capital of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte.

The cashew tree belongs to the species of Anacardium occidentale of the family Anacardiaceae. Unlike normal trees has this instance to a genetic abnormality. The branches do not grow upward but to the side. By their own weight they tend with increasing length of the floor and form when they touch the soil, new roots from, ranging from one to two meters into the earth. Thus, the branches are again, so that the tree continues to grow into new strains, which in turn form more branches. It seems as if it were several trees, but it is ultimately only one. The roots of the main stem a range of around 20-25 m in the earth. The tree has now an area of ​​approximately 8500 m², with a circumference of 500 m. That's about the size of a football field or the surface normal of 70 cashew trees. The age of the tree is estimated to be 110-115 years. Upon further unhindered growth biologists assume that the tree could spread to an area of ​​30,000-40,000 square meters. The growth is limited for years by surrounding streets. During the harvest season from November to January, the tree bears around 70,000-80,000 Cashewfrüchte (2.5 tons).

The tree is recognized as the largest cashew tree in the world and as such in the Guinness Book of World Records ( 1994 edition ). He is one of the main attractions of the region around Natal dar. In addition to the tree retailers have built numerous tourist shops where they offer cashew nuts from the giant tree and other souvenirs for sale. In addition, there is a 25 m high observation tower, from which one can overlook the cashew tree.

Photo Gallery

Panoramic view of the 8500 - m ² - tree crown