New Zealand’s step: ‘ancient standing tree’ wins tree of the year

A lone rata that appears to stride across the landscape has won gold in New Zealand’s tree of the year competition.

The New Zealand Arboretum Society – which runs the competition to celebrate New Zealand’s trees – said the “extraordinary” northern rhododendron had earned the name “The Walking Tree” due to its resemblance to one of the sensitive Ent similar to JRR Tolkien’s tree.

The 32-metre-tall tree, which grows near Karamea on the South Island’s west coast, “captured the hearts and imaginations of New Zealanders with its unique appearance and fascinating life story”, the association said.

The tree was the clear winner in the third annual competition, winning 42% of the total vote and beating other popular favourites, including the country’s most photographed tree – a willow that grows out of Lake Wānaka and has become so popular that has earned its own social media hashtag: #thatwanakatree.

The northern ratā is one of New Zealand’s tallest flowering trees. It begins life as an epiphyte, attached to another host tree. Eventually, its roots reach the ground and envelop the original host. The species can live for 1000 years. It is unclear how old the Standing Tree is, but its existence was known as far back as 1875.

Karamea native Pete Curry said his family cleared the land of trees when they arrived in the region in 1875. “The land was thick bush and my great-grandfather and his brothers cleared it for farming,” Curry told Christchurch newspaper The Press.

But they left the Tree standing.

“They must have thought the tree was unique because they didn’t leave anything else. They cut and burned everything in those days.”

Society president Richie Hill said the Standing Tree was a prime example of some of New Zealand’s magnificent trees.

“This award recognizes the significant role that trees play within our communities, not only enhancing our local environments but also providing a sense of place for past, present and future generations.”

Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said the region – made up mostly of conservation land – is spoiled for choice when it comes to trees.

“But one tree stands a branch above the rest – Karame’s Standing Tree”.