In a scene reminiscent of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a solitary northern rātā tree with a striking resemblance to a walking Ent has been crowned New Zealand’s 2024 Tree of the Year.

It was entered in New Zealand's annual Tree of the Year ... Who would have thought it, Ents are real." And this tall tree is here in real life. It's called a Metrosideros robusta, from the species ...