The Alihuen, sometimes simply called El Árbol Seco (The Dry Tree), is a malevolent wekufe entity born from the spirits of dead trees, according to ancient Chilean and Mapuche beliefs. Its name, Alihuen, translates to "without light", echoing its dark nature and ominous presence.
This spectral being manifests as a dead, gnarled tree that mysteriously appears in rivers such as the Cholchol, Cautín, and Quepe. Its twisted branches jut out of the water like the contorted arms of a corpse, resembling a drowned zombie reaching for the living. Locals consider these not to be mere logs or debris - but living monsters, harbingers of tragedy and death.
The Alihuen is not stationary. It is said to move without warning, impaling the unwary with its jagged limbs or dragging them underwater to drown. Its malevolent roots can infect nearby trees, spreading death through the forest by draining their vitality, leaving behind a wake of withered trunks and silent woods.
Only men are permitted to confront the Alihuen. Women, for reasons steeped in mystery and taboo, are said to enrage the spirit, risking violent retribution. The proper way to defeat it involves dragging the creature ashore and chopping it apart, severing its limbs and roots to prevent its spread. Failure to destroy the Alihuen thoroughly may allow it to regenerate or return.
Witnesses of the Alihuen describe a deep sense of unease before its appearance, a deathly stillness in the air, and the unnatural groan of waterlogged wood shifting without wind or current.
Even today, sightings of El Árbol Seco are treated with caution. In rural communities near haunted rivers, tales are still told in hushed tones - warnings to children and travelers alike to avoid the waters when the trees seem too quiet.