Ready your handkerchiefs, hipsters.

The #InstagramTree -- a perennial favourite for people who see the point in travelling to ulu places for a photograph local photographers -- is no longer what it used to be.

Only half of its once symmetrical branches remains after what was believed to be an unfortunate message sent from the heavens lightning strike.

Pictures on Instagram show that the damage occurred as far back as two weeks ago.

https://instagram.com/p/4veiEZzc4i/?tagged=instagramtree

Where once it could serve as a subject for hopeful, romantic or aspirational picture, the tree now looks decidedly desolate.

As expected, Instagrammers have adjusted their posts accordingly:

https://instagram.com/p/5hUa1ULP2F/?tagged=instagramtree

https://instagram.com/p/5V4fqZEQMe/?tagged=instagramtree

https://instagram.com/p/5b3rt-ogZ1/?tagged=instagramtree

When Mothership.sg visited the site, there were four fresh graduates looking to take a picture.

They were probably after something like this:

https://instagram.com/p/26B03SDa9p/?tagged=instagramtree

Instead, this is what they got. Not exactly an image that screams "bright future."

You can almost hear their despair.

"Wah, take cab, dress up, all for nothing?"

"We travelled to Malaysia for this?"

"Wah, all the couple that take wedding photos here, how ah?"

If it's any consolation, a nearby tree has been appointed by some instagrammers as #InstagramTree's de facto successor. This tree is located approximately 25 metres to the left of the original tree, and is significantly taller. More importantly, it is alive.

Here are some pictures of the new tree  struggling to cope quickly adjusting to its newly acquired fame.

https://instagram.com/p/5bnEtkkESc/?tagged=instagramtree

https://instagram.com/p/5W3xw0vJUu/?tagged=instagramtree

https://instagram.com/p/4rM083Lc0p/?tagged=instagramtree

Judging by past pictures, this new Instagram Tree has big shoes to fill. We wish it well in its future endeavours.

Related articles:

10 relatively unknown places in S’pore for Instagram lovers

8 places in S’pore you have to go for that perfect Instagram post

Top image via

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