Aurora

Millenium Tree in Aurora – Probably the Oldest in Asia



 

 

Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part of planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into unfamiliar places, people and culture are paramount.

Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

 

 

MILLENIUM TREE

 

 

Photo from: http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/Philippines/Aurora/BaleteMariaAurora.htm

 

There is eerie and somewhat creepy balete tree amidst papaya plantations near Maria Aurora village. It is some 60 – 65 m tall and some 60 adult people are needed to get their arms around this incredible tree. This is Millenium Tree – one of the largest trees in the world.

This giant of Maria Aurora is a balete tree – a kind of banyan (Ficus balete or, possibly – Ficus benjamina). Often there is mentioned that this is the largest banyan tree in Asia. In fact this can not be proved or disclaimed: there are many ways to measure the size of the tree, especially banyans and there certainly are many noble contenders for the title of largest banyan tree in the world.

It is very hard to find the exact circumference or diameter of old banyan trees due to aerial roots. As the tree becomes older more and more aerial roots enclose the main trunk, one after another they grow into the older trunks and finally it is not possible to find the middle behind the dense network of these roots. Read More: http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/Philippines/Aurora/BaleteMariaAurora.htm

 

Photo from:  http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/06/tree-hugging-millennium-tree-at-balete.html

 

Dubbed locally as the Millennium tree, this huge Balete located on one of Maria Aurora’s dirt roads has been attracting the attention of local visitors of Baler.

It is unimaginably huge that it would take 60 adult individuals, holding hands together, to fully encircle its trunk. It’s massiveness becomes evident as my friends started walking towards it, they looked like little kids beside the tree.

Balete trees wrap themselves like parasites on the trunks and branches of a host tree. And this is an excellent example of what happens over time, the original tree in the middle is now gone, leaving a hollow inside the Balete.

A passage between its twisted roots allows visitors to even access this hollow; it fitted all six of easily inside. It was dark, hot and humid at the core of the Balete with only shafts of light passing through its roots illuminating its creepy interior.

It is said that this tree is the oldest of its kind in the whole of Asia, hopefully it would last a few hundred more years with the help of both the locals and its visitors.  Read More:  http://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2011/11/aurora-maria-auroras-600-year-old.html

 

Main characteristics

 

Coordinates: 15.7698 N 121.4770 E
No: 165        (list of all attractions)
Category: Trees
Values: Biology, Visual
Rank: 3
Address: Asia, Philippines, Luzon, Aurora Province, Quirino barangay, some 3.5 km from Maria Aurora village, in Balete Park
Species: Balete (Ficus balete Merr.) or weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.)
Height: 65 m (?)
Diameter: Around 12 – 15 m
Crown diameter: Roughly 60 m
Alternate names: Millenium Tree, Centennial Tree

Table from: http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/Philippines/Aurora/BaleteMariaAurora.htm

 

At the Maria Aurora Baler, stands the Official Millenium Tree of The Philippines. The Old Balete Tree is 600 years old already!. The largest tree I have ever seen of its kind. It is claimed to be the Largest Balete Tree in Asia(also called Banyan Tree).It is one the most visited tourist spot here in Aurora. This Balete Tree is about 60 meters tall.

My first thought about this ancient tree is that its creepy! Lol the stories and movies regarding those of Balete Trees and the bundle of horror scenes with it.  Read More:  http://explorewitheleanor.blogspot.com/2015/06/june-2015-baler-aurora-2d1n-tour-package.html

 

Other Photos

 

Photo from:  https://mejasnikolas.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/summer-in-august-baler-aurora/

 

Photo from:  http://www.s1expeditions.com/2014/05/150-millennium-tree-park-aurora.html

 

Photo from:  http://explorewitheleanor.blogspot.com/2015/06/june-2015-baler-aurora-2d1n-tour-package.html

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Aurora Province under Region III

The Grand Province of Aurora

Interesting Places to Visit in Aurora

Magnificent Beaches for Surfing in Aurora

Awesome Waterfalls in Aurora

Special Events and Festivals in Aurora

How to Have Fun in Aurora

Photo Gallery of Aurora

Aurora Video Collection

 

 

 

 

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