That Wānaka Tree
{{short description|Tree in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox tree
| name=That Wānaka Tree
| image=ThatWanakaTree at Sunrise.jpg
| image_size=160
| alt=A leaning willow tree growing in a lake
| image_caption=The tree at sunrise
| map=New Zealand
| map_alt=The tree is located on New Zealand's south island
| map_size=160
| map_caption=The tree's location within New Zealand
| relief=
| label_position=
| map_image=
| native_name=
| native_name_lang=
| species=Crack willow
| binomial=Salix × fragilis
| location=Southern Lake Wānaka
| coordinates={{coord|-44.6983|169.1175|type:landmark_region:XX|display=inline,title}}
| seeded=
| felled=
| custodian=
| website=
}}
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. It was planted by Tim Scur as a fence post and unexpectedly grew. The Wānaka Tree can be seen on postcards and in paintings across the world especially in relation to New Zealand.
Popularity
The tree derives its nickname from the hashtag "#ThatWanakaTree", which is used on Instagram to identify photos of it.{{cite web |last1=Marcus |first1=Lilit |title=New Zealand's most famous tree, 'That Wanaka Tree,' vandalized |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/wanaka-tree-new-zealand-vandalism-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}} The tree has been described as "New Zealand's most famous tree" and called "one of the most photographed trees in all New Zealand."{{cite web |title=That Wanaka Tree |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lone-tree-of-lake-wanaka |website=Atlas Obscura |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}} A photograph of the tree by Dennis Radermacher won the 2014 New Zealand Geographic photo of the year award.{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Alex |title=The story behind that Wanaka Tree |url=https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/the-story-behind-that-wanaka-tree |website=Over Sixty |access-date=1 February 2021}}
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.{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Alex |title=How you can help protect New Zealand’s most famous tree |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/that-wanaka-tree-new-zealand |website=Lonely Planet |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en}} The tree was vandalised on 18 March 2020, with multiple limbs being sawn off and left on the shore.{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Sophie |title=New Zealand's famous Wanaka tree, a symbol of hope, vandalized |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wanaka-tree-new-zealand-famous-symbol-of-hope-vandalized/ |website=CBS News |access-date=1 February 2021}}{{cite web |last1=McKenzie-McLean |first1=Jo |title=Outrage after picturesque Wanaka tree attacked with saw |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/120364431/outrage-after-picturesque-wanaka-tree-attacked-with-saw |website=Stuff |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en |date=18 March 2020}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Hallinan |first1=Bridget |title=This Famous New Zealand Landmark Is Being Destroyed by Tourists |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/new-zealands-lake-wanaka-tree-is-being-destroyed-by-tourists |website=Condé Nast Traveler |access-date=1 February 2021 |language=en-us}}
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