Yichang protects nearly 5,000 ancient trees
2025-03-12 20:03:49
By Chen Si
In recent years, Yichang has been committed to preserving its 4,861 ancient trees, including ginkgo, Chinese wingnut, osmanthus, honey locust, Chinese red pine and sweet osmanthus.
Of these, 4,205 trees are over 100 years old, 399 are over 300 years old, and 224 are more than 500 years old.
One of the most famous trees is a 1,300-year-old ginkgo at Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, at the foot of which has grown out a 500-year-old tree. This duo attracts many visitors, and has helped to boost the local B&B industry.
Dangyang has also introduced an electronic profile for each of its 383 old trees, with information tags showing their age, history and cultural significance. Forest rangers will frequently use drones to monitor the health and condition of the trees.
In recent years, Yichang has been committed to preserving its 4,861 ancient trees, including ginkgo, Chinese wingnut, osmanthus, honey locust, Chinese red pine and sweet osmanthus.
Of these, 4,205 trees are over 100 years old, 399 are over 300 years old, and 224 are more than 500 years old.
One of the most famous trees is a 1,300-year-old ginkgo at Yuquan Temple in Dangyang, at the foot of which has grown out a 500-year-old tree. This duo attracts many visitors, and has helped to boost the local B&B industry.
Dangyang has also introduced an electronic profile for each of its 383 old trees, with information tags showing their age, history and cultural significance. Forest rangers will frequently use drones to monitor the health and condition of the trees.
An old tree in Dangyang.
Photo courtesy by the Dangyang Natural Resources and Planning Bureau
Photo courtesy by the Dangyang Natural Resources and Planning Bureau
In Yidu area, the 577-year-old "Xichuanpu" tree continues to thrive. It was added to the protection list in 2008 and now attracts both birds and tourists alike. The tree has its own “identity card,” which visitors can scan via QR code to see more information. In 2018, Yidu built The Old Tree Square around this protected landmark, where villagers now spend their days relaxing, dancing, and practicing Tai Chi.
An old tree in Yidu.Photo by Gao Dengsheng
Yichang’s Mawoni Village in Yiling District also protects an old ginkgo tree, using modern technology like drones and IoT monitoring to track its health.
In addition to preservation efforts, the region has developed rural tourism around these historical trees, creating scenic trails, recreational areas, and ginkgo cultural festivals that attract over 50,000 visitors annually.
An old tree in Yiling District.
Photo courtesy by the Yiling District Forestry Bureau
Photo courtesy by the Yiling District Forestry Bureau
Meanwhile, in Xingshan, a 358-year-old white tea tree thrives, and in Yuan'an, a 594-year-old ginkgo tree has become a symbol of love.
A 385-year-old white tea tree in XingshanPhoto by Chen Xuemei
An old tree in Yuan’an County.Photo courtesy by the Yuan’an Forestry Bureau
Zheng Yan, Zhang Kai, Fang Yonghua, Tan Qiangming, Wan Chunfeng, Yuan Xiwei, Zhuang Jinjie, Xiang Wei, Li Kaibo and Peng Yanhong contributed to this story.
