On of the most characteristic local trees is the ombú, a massive evergreen indigenous to the pampas of Uruguay and Argentina, some of which live at least 500 years and sport protuberant roots and hollow trunks, as well as fantastical canopies spreading 12 to 15 m (40-50 ft.) wide and with a height of 12 to 18 m (40-60 ft). They grow all over the region, but the best place to see these majestic ombúes (also dubbed bellasombras - beautiful shade) is the magical forests of them - like something out of a Tim Burton movie - around the large, freshwater Laguna de Castillos northwest of Cabo Polonia on the coast).

Read more in our post The Exceptional Ecotourism of Uruguay´s La Rocha Province.

Wikipedia