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That Wanaka Tree, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
A dangerously famous tree
This arboreal oddball may live all alone in the waters of Lake Wanaka, but it gets plenty of visitors. Known all over social media as #ThatWanakaTree, this thirsty willow's curious placement in a splendid setting has made it a South Island icon—and a global destination for those seeking a perfect selfie.All that attention isn't always such a great thing, however. Since its rise to online fame, That Wanaka Tree has been damaged at various times by careless climbers and saw-wielding vandals. (That large, low-hanging limb you can see in our picture? Yeah, that's gone now.) And to make matters worse, the cold water here results in slow regrowth, meaning the tree's injuries will show for years. So if you make your way to this spot someday, by all means snap a shot with this remarkable resident of the Southern Alps—but look, don't touch!
A dangerously famous tree
This arboreal oddball may live all alone in the waters of Lake Wanaka, but it gets plenty of visitors. Known all over social media as #ThatWanakaTree, this thirsty willow's curious placement in a splendid setting has made it a South Island icon—and a global destination for those seeking a perfect selfie.All that attention isn't always such a great thing, however. Since its rise to online fame, That Wanaka Tree has been damaged at various times by careless climbers and saw-wielding vandals. (That large, low-hanging limb you can see in our picture? Yeah, that's gone now.) And to make matters worse, the cold water here results in slow regrowth, meaning the tree's injuries will show for years. So if you make your way to this spot someday, by all means snap a shot with this remarkable resident of the Southern Alps—but look, don't touch!
Social media put this persistent tree on the map—but also put it in danger.
© kittikun thienthong / Shutterstock 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :