That Wanaka Tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids That Wanaka Tree |
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That Wanaka Tree at sunrise
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 That Wanaka Tree
Location in New Zealand
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| Species | Crack willow (Salix fragilis) |
| Location | Southern Lake Wānaka |
| Coordinates | 44°41′54″S 169°07′03″E / 44.6983°S 169.1175°E |
That Wanaka Tree, also known as the Wanaka Willow, is a special willow tree that grows right in the water of Lake Wānaka. You can find it at the southern end of the lake in New Zealand. This tree is very famous and lots of people visit it to take amazing photos, especially for Instagram. Sadly, parts of the tree were damaged in March 2020.
Why is That Wanaka Tree So Popular?
That Wanaka Tree gets its name from the popular hashtag "#ThatWanakaTree". People use this hashtag on Instagram to share their pictures of the tree. It has been called "New Zealand's most famous tree" and "one of the most photographed trees in all New Zealand." Many photographers love to capture its beauty. In fact, a photo of the tree taken by Dennis Radermacher won the 2014 New Zealand Geographic photo of the year award.
How People Affect the Wanaka Tree
That Wanaka Tree has been harmed a few times, sometimes by accident and sometimes on purpose. In late 2017, one of its branches broke off because tourists were climbing on it. After this happened, the local tourism board put up signs to ask people not to climb the tree.
On March 18, 2020, the tree was damaged when several of its branches were cut off and left on the shore. Experts said that these branches would probably take a very long time to grow back. This is because the tree's roots are in very cold water. The way people have affected the Wanaka Tree is similar to how famous places like Joshua Tree National Park and Uluru have been impacted by visitors.
