That Wānaka Tree Explained

That Wānaka Tree
Map:New Zealand
Map Alt:The tree is located on New Zealand's south island
Map Size:160
Species:Crack willow
Binomial:Salix × fragilis
Location:Southern Lake Wānaka
Coordinates:-44.6983°N 169.1175°W

That Wānaka Tree, also known as the That Wānaka Willow, is the nickname of a willow tree located at the southern end of Lake Wānaka in the Otago region of New Zealand. The tree grows alone in the water and is a popular destination for tourists to take Instagram photos.

Popularity

The tree derives its nickname from the hashtag "#ThatWanakaTree", which is used on Instagram to identify photos of it.[1] The tree has been described as "New Zealand's most famous tree" and called "one of the most photographed trees in all New Zealand."[2] A photograph of the tree by Dennis Radermacher won the 2014 New Zealand Geographic photo of the year award.[3]

Human impact

As a result of its popularity, the tree has been damaged on several occasions, both intentionally and unintentionally. A branch came off in late 2017 because tourists had climbed it, which led to the local tourism board installing signs discouraging the practice.[4] The tree was vandalised on 18 March 2020, with multiple limbs being sawn off and left on the shore.[5] [6] Reports noted that the cold water the roots are submerged in would retard the limbs' regrowth. The human impact on the tree has been compared to that at other tourist attractions like Joshua Tree National Park and Uluru.[1] [7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marcus . Lilit . New Zealand's most famous tree, 'That Wanaka Tree,' vandalized . CNN . 1 February 2021 . en.
  2. Web site: That Wanaka Tree . Atlas Obscura . 1 February 2021 . en.
  3. Web site: O'Brien . Alex . The story behind that Wanaka Tree . Over Sixty . 1 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Butler . Alex . How you can help protect New Zealand’s most famous tree . Lonely Planet . 1 February 2021 . en.
  5. Web site: Lewis . Sophie . New Zealand's famous Wanaka tree, a symbol of hope, vandalized . CBS News . 1 February 2021.
  6. Web site: McKenzie-McLean . Jo . Outrage after picturesque Wanaka tree attacked with saw . Stuff . 1 February 2021 . en . 18 March 2020.
  7. Web site: Hallinan . Bridget . This Famous New Zealand Landmark Is Being Destroyed by Tourists . Condé Nast Traveler . 1 February 2021 . en-us.

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