Wanaka's world-famous tree on the shores of Lake Wanaka in Roys Bay has been attacked with a saw.

Wanaka's world-famous willow tree – whose crooked branches are captured in camera lenses from across the globe – has been attacked with a saw.

Community members are outraged at the "senseless" attack on the lone tree, which grows near the shores of Lake Wanaka in Roys Bay and started life as a fence post at least 80 years ago.

It has been described as a "symbol of determination" and even has its own hashtag, #thatwanakatree.

CORY MARSHALL That Wanaka Tree at sunrise.

Wanaka photographer Luisa Apanui said she was at the lake on Tuesday for a photo shoot and saw large hacked off branches lying in the water.

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"The famous lower branch that hangs horizontally out over the water that is really picturesque has gone."

LUISA APANUI PHOTOGRAPHY The clean saw cuts suggest the act was deliberate.

The branches have since been dragged to the shore and the cuts appeared to be from a chainsaw or handsaw.

"Everyone is pretty devastated. The tree even survived the floods in December and it's so sad to see someone did this on purpose," Apanui said.

"Some people hate the tree because it attracts so much attention but most local people love it, especially photographers.

LUISA APANUI PHOTOGRAPHY It has been described as a "symbol of determination" and even has its own hashtag, #thatwanakatree.

"The Wanaka tree is super special to me because of it's beautiful unique shape in combination with the stunning Wanaka mountain backdrop. It's a historic icon and I love to photograph it because it looks different every time - in different seasons and different water levels."

Wanaka Community Board member Chris Hadfield said he was bewildered by the "completely senseless act".

"It has survived this long, so I am sure it will keep going, but I can't understand why anyone would do this."

STUFF Photographers aren't impressed that NZ's most snapped tree now has a road cone on it. (Video first published in March 2018)