A unique species of palm tree might just be the only tree on Earth rumored to possess the ability to walk.

A Tree That "Walks" Through the Rainforest?

In the remote rainforests of Ecuador, there grows a strange and fascinating palm known as Socratea exorrhiza. According to local folklore and rainforest guides, this tree is capable of slow, deliberate movement—something akin to the Ents from The Lord of the Rings. While these tropical giants certainly aren’t preparing to storm the gates of Isengard, they share one striking similarity with their fictional counterparts: movement.

Unlike ordinary trees, which remain rooted in place their entire lives, Socratea exorrhiza is believed to shift its position over time by growing new roots in one direction while letting older roots die off. This unusual adaptation allegedly allows the tree to “walk” toward better sunlight or more stable soil as environmental conditions change.

How Much Can It Actually Move?

Reports suggest that this slow-motion migration happens at a rate of 2 to 3 centimeters per day, adding up to nearly 20 meters per year. Though this might seem negligible by human standards, it’s a remarkable claim in the world of plants. To imagine a tree actively relocating itself—even over a period of years—is both eerie and fascinating.

Tourists exploring Ecuador’s rainforests are often captivated by stories from local guides about these “walking trees.” The most popular tale? That Socratea exorrhiza walks in search of light, growing new roots in the direction of the sun, while gradually letting the old ones rot away behind it.

The Science Behind the Legend

The idea that these palm trees can walk gained some academic traction in 1980, when anthropologist John H. Bodley proposed that the palm’s distinctive stilt-like roots might allow it to move away from its original germination point. These roots, which emerge several feet above the ground, do give the appearance of long, thin legs supporting the tree—adding to the walking illusion.

Peter Vrsansky, a Slovak palaeobiologist who spent months studying the flora of Ecuador’s Unesco-designated Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, explained the process in more detail. As soil erodes around the base of the tree, the palm begins to grow new roots toward firmer ground and sunlight. Over time, as the new roots anchor into more stable soil, the tree slowly shifts its position, lifting the old roots into the air and eventually letting them wither. This “relocation” process may take several years—a long, patient march toward better living conditions.

A Controversial Claim

Not everyone in the scientific community agrees with the idea of a walking tree. In 2005, biologist Gerardo Avalos, director of the Center for Sustainable Development Studies in Costa Rica, published a paper refuting the walking tree theory. According to Avalos, although the Socratea exorrhiza does produce new roots periodically, these are simply part of the tree’s natural growth and structural support—not an engine for movement.

“My paper proves that the belief in the walking palm is just a myth,” Avalos told Live Science. “The idea that a tree could slowly follow changes in canopy light by moving across the forest floor is simply a story that rainforest guides enjoy telling tourists.”

So Why the Confusion?

The likely culprit is the tree’s peculiar root system. Its stilt-like roots begin several feet above the ground and spread outward in various directions, giving the tree a broomstick-like appearance. As surrounding soil erodes or shifts, some roots die and new ones emerge. This dynamic change may create the illusion that the tree is “stepping” slowly in one direction.

Combined with the imaginative narratives of local guides, this unique appearance has helped fuel the myth of the walking tree. Yet despite decades of speculation and storytelling, no time-lapse video or definitive scientific observation has ever confirmed that these trees genuinely relocate over time.

Still, if you ever come across footage proving otherwise, the scientific community would love to see it!

Plants That Actually Do Move

While the Socratea exorrhiza may not literally walk, nature is not without its mobile plants. One prime example is the Creeping Devil cactus (Stenocereus eruca) of Mexico, which is capable of slowly crawling across sandy desert landscapes. Unlike the walking palm, this cactus leaves part of its body behind while the front end grows forward—effectively dragging itself inch by inch.

Another example includes some species of vines, which “climb” over large distances by sending tendrils toward supportive structures like trees or rocks, redirecting their growth toward sunlight.

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Conclusion

Whether or not the Socratea exorrhiza truly walks, its striking structure and the stories surrounding it continue to captivate the imagination of scientists, travelers, and nature lovers alike. Perhaps it's not so important whether the tree actually moves, but rather that it reminds us how diverse, strange, and awe-inspiring the plant world can be.

And in the heart of Ecuador’s rainforests, a tree that looks like it could take a step at any moment might be just the kind of magic we need.