“No, that’s not a little mountain, but a big tree.”

• Species: A Ficus (fig tree), not a Samanea saman (rain tree), though it resembles one.

• Location: San Marcos, in Colombia’s Caribbean region, on the Alejandría farm.

• Dimensions (approximate and unverified):

  • Height: ~30 meters

  • Diameter: ~75 meters

  • From afar, it looks like a green hill or small mountain.

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🌱 Origin Story: An Accidental Wonder

• In 1964, the farm owner planted a yellow cedar sapling.

• To protect it from cattle, they planted six fig tree cuttings around it.

• Unexpectedly, the fig cuttings thrived, overgrew, and engulfed the cedar.

• The six fig trees fused together, forming a massive interconnected organism, strengthened by aerial roots.

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🏛️ Structure & Beauty

• The tree’s aerial roots have grown into pillar-like supports, giving the sensation of a cathedral-like interior.

• Some call it “The Tree That Walks” due to the appearance of legs (roots) moving outward to seek sun and nutrients.

• The foliage is so vast it provides an expansive canopy, sheltering people, animals (like peacocks), and creating an awe-inspiring environment.

• It's sometimes referred to as “The Most Beautiful Tree in Colombia.”

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🪙 Common Confusion

• It's often mistaken for “The Tree of Guacarí”, another famous tree (a rain tree), formerly featured on Colombian 500 peso coins in the 1990s.

• That tree was felled in 1989 due to safety concerns, but it’s not the same as this one.

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🌿 Symbolic & Cultural Significance

• The tree has become a local legend and tourist attraction.

• Its presence evokes feelings of humility, protection, and connection to nature.

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📍 Visit Tip

If you’re in Colombia’s Atlantic coast, consider a detour to San Marcos — you’ll begin to see the giant fig 3 km before reaching the Alejandría farm.

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This isn't just about size — it's about resilience, community (six trees becoming one), and how something done with one intention can turn into a completely different, beautiful reality.