Pingtung "Moai" Tree Becomes Attraction; Landowner Cedes Land to Widen Road for Tourism

(CNA reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, 21st) A century-old Bishopwood tree in Jiadong Township, Pingtung County, has become famous for its striking resemblance to the Moai statues of Easter Island. Located at a corner with poor visibility and a narrow road, it was a frequent site of vehicle sideswipes. In a heartwarming local story, the tree-loving landowner ceded about 1 ping (approx. 3.3 square meters) of land to set back a wall and widen the road, helping to boost tourism. The century-old Bishopwood tree is located at the border of Shiguang and Changlong in Jiadong Township, Pingtung County, on the road to the Quanshuigou Swimming Pool. Due to an original wall at the corner obstructing the view, collision accidents were common. In 2018, a resident surnamed Chang uploaded a photo to an online platform, initially to remind locals to be cautious of traffic safety. However, the tree's appearance, so similar to a Moai statue, caused it to unexpectedly go viral, becoming a popular photo spot. This also shifted residents' concerns from traffic problems to an attitude of cherishing the old tree. The Jiadong Township Office told a CNA reporter today that the usable width of the road segment was previously less than 3 meters; a small truck could barely pass but could not do so alongside another vehicle. About two years ago, a resident reported the issue to a representative. After coordinating with the landowner who agreed to the setback, Taipower and Chunghwa Telecom cooperated to move utility poles, making the overall view much clearer. The project was completed last month, increasing the road width to about 4.5 meters and adding warning facilities. The landowner, surnamed Yang, said that four years ago, her relatives grew flowers nearby, and she and her mother would visit on holidays. That's when she noticed the tree and thought, "How can a tree be this beautiful?" Its natural silhouette captivated her at first sight, sparking the idea of retiring there. She was lucky to find a house for sale next to the tree and purchased it, planning to live next to it in her retirement. Ms. Yang said that while staying there on holidays, she heard of two car accidents involving the tree, which deeply pained her. Therefore, she was willing to cede a corner of her land to straighten the road, which she saw as no loss to herself. Originally from Kaohsiung, she has fallen in love not only with the tree but also with the warmth of the people in Jiadong. Neighbors often share home-grown fruits, making her feel a warmth rarely found in the city. She believes the "Moai Tree" is more beautiful than Taitung's famous "Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree" and hopes the Pingtung County Government will invest resources to improve the surrounding environment and link it with attractions like Quanshuigou, encouraging tourists to do more than just take photos, but to also stay and learn about local stories. Shiguang Village Chief Liu Jin-ting said that the "Moai Tree" is an old tree she has seen since childhood. The nearby Quanshuigou Swimming Pool's water comes from a natural spring. Before the pool was built, the adjacent "Quanshuiku" was a local water recreation spot. For about eight years starting in 2007, the area was bustling with community-building observation tours but has become quieter in recent years. She also looks forward to the future reorganization of the surrounding environment to reactivate local memory.