Walt Disney World Resort has removed the iconic central tree from the Living with the Land greenhouse at EPCOT, then abruptly closed the attraction on Thursday, with the boat channel completely drained.
The tree removal occurred in early February without announcement. Social media reports described cast members cutting down the tree and digging out its root system from the dome-shaped greenhouse that’s been a centerpiece of the 43-year-old attraction since EPCOT opened.
Tree Removal Confirmed on Video
X (formerly Twitter) user @AnthonyCEyre shared archival footage of the tree on February 11:
Hold on! – Is it true that the big tree in the middle of the dome on Living With The Land (LWTL) removed today? (Old video of mine)
Hold on! – Is it true that the big tree in the middle of the dome on Living With The Land (LWTL) removed today?
(Old video of mine) pic.twitter.com/bytybtNhjO
— Ant (@AnthonyCEyre) February 11, 2026
Livestreamer Theme Park Giant captured video on Wednesday showing the empty space where the tree stood, along with Disney cast members using shovels to dig in the area—apparently removing remaining root structures. The footage confirms earlier Walt Disney World Resort guest reports about the tree’s destruction.
Unexpected Closure Thursday
Living with the Land failed to open on Thursday morning at EPCOT, without any advance notice or scheduled maintenance. The attraction remained closed throughout the day and has yet to reopen.
EPCOT guests reported all water had been drained from the boat channel, exposing the normally submerged track. Disney cast members appeared to be inspecting the exposed track in the loading area, where all boats had been removed.
The complete water drainage indicates a significant technical issue or a major maintenance requirement, rather than something that could be resolved within a few hours. Walt Disney World Resort has not issued any statement about the closure or provided a reopening timeline.
Living with the Land, an Opening-Day Attraction
Living with the Land opened with EPCOT in 1982 as part of the Land Pavilion. The boat ride takes guests through greenhouses showcasing innovative agricultural techniques and experimental crops. The removed tree occupied a prominent position in the main greenhouse dome, visible throughout that section of the attraction.
The tree’s removal and the sudden closure raise questions about potential larger-scale work planned for the aging attraction. Whether Disney intends to replace the tree, redesign the greenhouse section, or address infrastructure problems remains unclear without official communication from Walt Disney World Resort.
Have you noticed any other changes in attractions at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments.
