A Remarkable Northern Rata Tree Resembles a Walking Giant, Crowned Tree of the Year in New Zealand.
The Giant Rata Tree boasts long roots and branches extending outward near its base, earning it the nickname “the walking tree.” It stands alone in a clearing near a cemetery close to the town of Karamea on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The tree reaches approximately 32 meters in height, comparable to a seven-story building, according to the New Zealand Tree Register. This extraordinary ancient tree has existed for centuries. Northern Rata (Metrosideros robusta) is one of New Zealand’s tallest flowering species, capable of living up to 1,000 years.
The rata tree has unique roots and branches growing from another tree. (Photo: Gareth Andrews).
“The Walking Tree” triumphed in the 2024 Tree of the Year competition organized by the New Zealand Arboriculture Association (NZ Arb), garnering 42% of the public vote. According to NZ Arb President Richie Hill, “the walking tree” is a key and outstanding example of the unique species that New Zealanders are fortunate to behold.
Experts are uncertain about the exact age of “the walking tree”, but award organizers emphasize that it is the last remaining tree from a forest that was cut down around 150 years ago.
The Northern Rata is an epiphytic plant, a type of tree that begins its life on the surface of a host tree before its roots grow long enough to reach the ground. “The walking tree” likely began its life on the canopy of a host tree, surviving on air and rainwater before reaching the ground. Its unusual root system is likely the result of growth around a host tree that may have died centuries ago.
The Northern Rata is native to New Zealand and was once among the most common trees in the country’s forests. However, its range has diminished over the past few decades and is now classified as vulnerable, according to the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. In addition to deforestation, major threats to the Northern Rata include the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), which feeds on leaves and roots, and the pathogenic fungus Austropuccinia psidii, which originated in South America and was first detected in New Zealand in 2017.
