Árbol de Piedra ("stone tree") is an isolated

ventifact A ventifact (also wind-faceted stone, windkanter) is a rock (geology), rock that has been abraded, pitted, etched, grooved, or polished by wind-driven sand or ice crystals. The word "Ventifact" is derived from the Latin word "Ventus" meaning 'wind ...

rock formation in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve of Sur Lípez Province,

Bolivia Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America. The country features diverse geography, including vast Amazonian plains, tropical lowlands, mountains, the Gran Chaco Province, w ...

. Much photographed, it projects out of the

altiplano The Altiplano (Spanish language, Spanish for "high plain"), Collao (Quechuan languages, Quechua and Aymara language, Aymara: Qullaw, meaning "place of the Qulla people, Qulla") or Andean Plateau, in west-central South America, is the most extens ...

sand dunes of Siloli in the

Potosí Department Potosí (; Southern Quechua, Quechua: ''P'utuqsi''; Aymara language, Aymara: ''Putusi'') is a Departments of Bolivia, department in southwestern Bolivia. Its area is 118,218 km2 and its population is 856,419 (2024 census). The capital is the ...

, about north of Laguna Colorada. Known as the "Stone Tree," it is shaped like a stunted tree about 7 metres high. Its shape, particularly the thin stem, is due to strong winds carrying sand and eroding the soft sandstone.

References

Landforms of Potosí Department Tourist attractions in Potosí Department Natural monoliths Rock formations of Bolivia {{Potosí-geo-stub