Mysterious tree seems on widespread vacationer seashore and nobody is aware of the way it acquired there

A puzzling tree has mysteriously appeared on a stunning sandy beach hailed as one of North Wales’ finest. For several weeks now, its bare trunk has been catching the eye of visitors at Rhos on Sea in Conwy.

Towering at roughly 8ft tall, it stands as a solitary figure on a stretch of coastline that was completely transformed four years ago. Nobody seems certain how it arrived there or what it might represent.

Leaning slightly towards the sea, it’s considered unlikely that the tree was washed ashore and planted upright by the incoming tide. Its lone presence across the sandy expanse has sparked whimsical comparisons to the mysterious monolith from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Alternative theories on social media have been rather more down-to-earth. “It’s a piddle post for dogs,” one person suggested online.

Others speculated it might serve as a makeshift sundial – or perhaps a tribute to the ancient sunken forests occasionally visible at low tide along the North Wales coastline, reports North Wales Live.

Most probably it’s simply a prank. Whatever its intended purpose, some locals consider it “stupid”.

Others have welcomed the cryptic newcomer, dubbing it the resort’s very own “Barksy”.

One individual declared it was “obviously a Beach tree”. Another even suggested a moniker, opting for the time-honoured variation “Sticky Mcstick Face”.

Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox How long it remains is anybody’s guess. For now, it’s a peculiar addition to a coastline that, in 2021-22, formed part of a major seafront enhancement.

A million tonnes of sand was transported from Liverpool Bay to elevate the beach level by 16ft in a bid to strengthen the resort’s coastal defences.

Simultaneously, the town’s sea wall was fortified and its esplanade redesigned to establish beautifully designed walking and cycling routes. When the beach reopened in late summer 2022, it was hailed as the “Welsh Riviera”.

Since then, the beach has proved enormously popular, despite higher parking fees. Nevertheless, the sight of a somewhat weathered tree stump on its immaculate sand has drawn inquisitive looks rather than outrage.

Online, it’s also become the subject of jokes and sparked countless cringe-worthy puns. People claimed to be “stumped” for an explanation, some demanded the “Special Branch” should intervene.

Given the tree’s position, one person pondered if it might “cause a fence”. Another fretted: “Oh no! Some beggar has buried Pinocchio!”.

Not everyone is thrilled that Rhos on Sea now boasts its own “Lonely Tree” – a nod to the frequently photographed birch on the shores of Llyn Padarn, Llanberis.

Some have scarcely noticed the new beach feature. When a “post about a post” was shared online recently, one local raged: “This has been here for the last two months, how come you’ve only just noticed it?” Perhaps that’s because there’s a wealth of other activities to enjoy in the resort, from chic boutiques to snug cafes and – when they finally open – the promenade’s striking new kiosks.