Pingtung resident donates property to protect viral ‘Moai statue’ tree

Pingtung resident donates property to protect viral ‘Moai statue’ tree

2026-06-15

In Pingtung’s Jiadong Township, there’s a century-old bishop wood tree that has become popular as a photo spot for its resemblance to an Easter Island Moai statue. One Kaohsiung local was so enchanted by the tree that they bought the home right next to it. But since the surrounding roads are narrow, it’s been hit twice by motorists. To protect the tree, the homeowner agreed to move their wall back by a meter to straighten out the road, protecting both the tree and drivers.

In the small village of Shiguangjian in Pingtung’s Jiadong Township stands a century-old bishop wood tree. It’s not just a landmark for the locals, who have grown up alongside this iconic tree. Now it’s also a popular photo destination, since it looks just like an Easter Island Moai statue.

- The nose is very similar, don’t you think? And the eyes.

One person from Kaohsiung was so taken with the tree that she bought the house right next door to be her neighbor in retirement. But since the road surrounding the tree was less than 3 meters wide, it was hit twice by passing motorists. To protect it, the homeowner decided to donate some of her land.

- It used to be here, around here. She moved it back here. The road is wide now. There shouldn’t be as many accidents.

Voice of Ms. Yang
Homeowner
The road is meant for people to use. If it makes things easier on everyone else, it’s easier for me too. Besides, if someone hits the tree and it needs to be replanted, it wouldn’t grow back the same.

The road around the tree sees a lot of traffic since it’s near the local swimming pool. By volunteering to move her wall back by a meter, Ms. Yang gave up her own property to straighten the path. Now it’s about 4.5 meters wide, protecting both the tree and motorists.

Lai Wen-yi
Jiadong Township Mayor
We moved the utility poles to the opposite side and laid a fresh layer of asphalt thanks to the efforts of everyone here.

Local resident
Jiadong
It’s great. Protecting the tree like this is wonderful. It has history. We shouldn’t let it be destroyed.

The township office is currently drafting plans to promote the tree along with other nearby tourist attractions. Thanks to the generous neighbor who recognized the benefit to donating her land, this story proves that a little community spirit can go a long way.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Pingtung #Moai #Moaitree #communityspirit #trees #historictree #roadsafety #photospot #viral #EasterIsland #selfless

屏東佳冬百年茄苳樹神似”摩艾石像"成打卡熱點

2026-06-15

屏東佳冬鄉有棵百年茄苳樹，因酷似”摩艾"石像爆紅，高雄還有民眾為了這棵樹買下一旁的民宅，不過樹木周圍路幅狹小，發生過兩次撞樹意外，屋主自願退縮一米的住家圍牆，把道路拉直，不僅能保護摩艾樹，也能降低事故發生率。

屏東縣佳冬鄉石光見，小小村落中這顆百年歷史的茄苳樹，不只當地居民從小看到大，更因為長得像復活島的”摩艾"石像，成為打卡熱點。

“這個鼻子很像，你沒覺得鼻子很像嗎? 還有眼睛”

高雄還有民眾特別買下一旁的房子，希望退休後能與摩艾樹為鄰。不過因為摩艾樹周遭的路幅狹小，寬約不到3米，曾經發生兩次撞樹車禍。屋主於是決定讓地護樹。

“原本在這邊，大概這邊，(屋主)他就退到這樣，路就很寬了，不然常發生車禍”

[[聲音來源:屋主楊小姐]]
“路本來就是大家在走的，大家方便我就方便，因為如果撞到那棵樹，要重新種也種不回來。”

百年茄苳樹就位在通往泉水溝游泳池道路旁，村民往來頻繁。屋主自願退縮一米的住家圍牆，讓出土地，把道路拉直，現在路面拓寬到約4.5公尺，不僅能保護摩艾樹，也能降低事故發生率。

[[佳冬鄉長賴文一]]
“電線桿移過來到對面，還有剛鋪的柏油路，感謝地方的努力。”

[[當地居民]]
“這樣很好啊，(樹)這樣保存起來，這有歷史的，不要毀掉它。”

當地鄉公所正計畫串聯泉水溝等景點，推動地方觀光。如今有屋主讓地護樹，改善交通，幫助地方助發展，也成為佳話。

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