With its branches tangling across an area of 2 acres (0.8 hectares), the Pirangi Cashew Tree is one of the marvels of the world. It entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1994 for its size, which is caused by the reentry of its branches into the soil as roots. Enter this cashew forest park and learn about the genetic anomalies that led to its growth.
The tree has a perimeter of 1,640 feet (500 meters), more than 10 times that of typical cashew trees. Learn how the weight of the branches forces them downward, where they establish roots, before rising again from the ground. Because of this phenomenon, it is difficult to decipher the original trunk of the tree from its later growth shoots.
Challenge your family in a hunt for the main stem, which has many branches twisting in all directions. One of the branches from this principal trunk follows a normal path and is known by locals as the Minimum Wage.
Capture photos of the complex labyrinth of branches and lose yourself in the forest maze. Let your kids play around the branches and marvel at the tree’s intricacy. This park consists almost entirely of the Pirangi Cashew Tree, with the addition of one typical cashew tree as comparison.
Climb to the 20-foot (6-meter) observation tower to see the tree from above. Pick cashews, which are rich in vitamin C. The park’s trees produce 80,000 cashews per year.
Hear the enchanting story behind the enormous tree. Fisherman Luiz Inácio de Oliveira is said to have planted it in 1888. He passed away beneath the tree at the age of 93.
Enter the cashew park for a small fee and take a guided tour in English. Purchase souvenirs and gifts related to the tree from stalls outside the park.
Find the Pirangi Cashew Tree beside the Pirangi do Norte Beach in the Parnamirim commune. Travel south from Natal for about 40 minutes by car to get here. Nearby landmarks include the Pirangi do Sul Beach and the Pirangi River.