A Tree Unlike Any Other
In the beachside town of Pirangi do Norte, Brazil, a cashew tree planted in 1888 has grown into something astonishing. Known as the Cashew Tree of Pirangi, it sprawls across more than 7,300 square meters (1.8 acres)—about the size of 70 average cashew trees.
With a circumference of 500 meters (1,640 feet), it’s recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest cashew tree. The tree’s immense canopy covers the equivalent of nearly two football fields and draws over 300,000 visitors annually.
How One Tree Took Over an Acre
The Pirangi cashew tree’s unusual size is due to a rare genetic mutation and a natural process. When its heavy branches dip toward the ground, they take root and form new trunks, extending the tree’s reach outward rather than upward.
This has allowed the tree to cover over a hectare (2.47 acres) of land without human intervention. Over time, the web of roots and branches has made it difficult to identify the original trunk. Images from within its canopy reveal what feels more like a small forest than a single organism.
A Record-Breaking Harvest
The tree produces an extraordinary 60,000 cashew fruits each year. Each fruit consists of the cashew apple and the kidney-shaped nut that’s roasted and eaten worldwide.
Despite its age—estimated by some botanists to be over a thousand years, although more conservative estimates place it at around 130 years—the tree remains highly productive. Its location has also become a commercial hub for the sale of lace and embroidery, making it both a botanical and economic landmark.
A Rival Claim from Piauí
In recent years, a second contender has entered the scene. Flávio Nogueira Jr., tourism secretary for the neighboring state of Piauí, claims the world’s largest cashew tree actually stands in the municipality of Cajueiro da Praia.
This tree, studied by the State University of Piauí, reportedly spans 8,800 square meters (2.2 acres)—500 more than Pirangi’s tree. While Guinness still recognizes the Pirangi cashew as the record holder, this botanical rivalry continues to draw scientific and public attention.
In Pirangi do Norte, Brazil, a cashew tree planted in 1888 has grown into a botanical phenomenon.
Known as the world’s largest cashew tree, it covers over 7,300 square meters (1.8 acres), with a circumference of 500 meters (1,640 feet). And it’s still growing…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/cup4Zk2VzE
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