In a land far, far away, where hobbits once roamed, and wizards wielded their staffs, a enchanting new creature has emerged from the depths of New Zealand’s forests. This extraordinary being is not a mythical Ent from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” but rather a 100-foot-tall northern rātā tree that has captured the hearts of the nation.
With its unique “walking” appearance and awe-inspiring stature, this majestic tree has been crowned New Zealand’s Tree of the Year for 2024.
A Tree That Walks the Walk
The northern rātā, scientifically known as Metrosideros robusta, is one of New Zealand’s tallest flowering trees, capable of reaching heights of up to 82 feet or more.
What sets this particular specimen apart is its peculiar growth pattern, which has resulted in a pair of trunk-like legs that resemble a giant tree striding across the landscape.(ref)
The tree’s remarkable appearance has earned it the nickname “The Walking Tree” and has drawn comparisons to the Ents, the ancient shepherds of the forest in Tolkien’s fictional world.
The walking tree is located near a cemetery in Karamea on the South Island’s West Coast and won a landslide victory with 42% of the vote in the annual Tree of the Year competition.
A Lone Survivor from a Lost Forest
Estimated to be hundreds of years old, this northern rātā is believed to be the sole survivor of a forest that was cleared around 150 years ago.
The farming family at the time recognized its uniqueness and left it untouched in the middle of the paddock.
A Symbol of New Zealand’s Unique Flora
New Zealand’s flora is renowned for its uniqueness, with over 80% of its plant species found nowhere else on Earth.(ref) The Walking Tree is a testament to the country’s extraordinary biodiversity and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving these natural wonders.
Northern rātā trees were once one of the most common species in New Zealand’s forests, but their range has decreased significantly in recent decades due to threats like deforestation, invasive brushtail possums, hybridization with pōhutukawa trees, and the myrtle rust fungal disease. They are now classified as nationally vulnerable by the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.
As the winner of the Tree of the Year competition, this northern rātā has become a symbol of New Zealand’s rich botanical heritage and a source of national pride.
NZ Arb president Richie Hill praised the tree, saying, “The Walking Tree is a prime example of the remarkable trees that we, as New Zealanders, are fortunate to experience.”(ref)
A Call for Conservation
Despite their iconic status, northern rātā trees face numerous threats to their survival. The Walking Tree’s victory in the Tree of the Year competition has brought attention to the plight of these magnificent trees and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The Department of Conservation works closely with organizations like Project Crimson to restore rātā habitat through education, revegetation programs, and sustained possum control operations.(ref)
As we celebrate this remarkable tree’s triumph, remember our responsibility to protect and preserve New Zealand’s unique flora for generations to come. The Walking Tree’s enchanting appearance, coupled with its incredible resilience, has made it a true icon of New Zealand’s natural heritage.
By supporting conservation efforts and raising awareness about the importance of these majestic trees, we can ensure that the magic of New Zealand’s forests endures for centuries to come.
The Walking Tree stands tall as a reminder of the wonders that still exist in our natural world.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.