Ahuehuete de Reforma

Along Paseo de la Reforma stands a symbol of resilience, the Ahuehuete de Reforma. This young tree, planted in 2002, carries the weight of a legacy. It replaced a towering palm, but quickly became an icon in its own right. The Ahuehuete de Reforma is a Montezuma cypress, Mexico’s national tree since 1921. Its name, derived from Nahuatl, means “old water tree,” a testament to its preference for water-rich environments. The Ahuehuete de Reforma, though young, connects to a rich history of these trees. Aztecs planted them along processional paths and used them in their floating gardens. The wood served practical purposes, crafting beams and furniture, while the resin was a remedy for ailments. Even today, some believe in its medicinal properties. One famous ancestor of the Ahuehuete de Reforma, the “Tree of the Sad Night” in Popotla, witnessed Cortés’s despair after a crushing defeat in 1520. Another, “El Sargento” in Chapultepec Park, planted around 1460, lived for over 500 years. The Ahuehuete de Reforma stands in the Glorieta del Ahuehuete, once known as the Palm Roundabout. Its arrival marked a shift, chosen by public vote to replace the iconic palm in 2022. Standing 12 meters tall and with a diameter of 250 mm, it is a reminder of nature’s enduring power amid the bustling city. The Ahuehuete de Reforma, though young, embodies a timeless spirit. It represents renewal and continuity, linking the past to the present.