TREES IN CHINA: GINKGOS AND VERY TALL AND ANCIENT ONES

GINGKO TREES

Gingko tree in the autumn

The ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), a tree associated with China, is regarded as world's oldest living tree species. It first appeared 160 million years ago. One kind of giant ginkgo tree, the dawn redwood, which is found in 100 million-year-old fossils and thought to have been extinct for 65 million years was found growing near a mountain village in 1946 in forest in Sichuan province.

Professor Derk Bodde wrote: “Among trees, one of the most interesting Chinese contributions is the ginkgo or maidenhair tree, with its curious fan-shaped leaves. This tree is geologically among the most ancient of all living things. It seems to be descended from the giant ferns which once flourished on the earth many millions of years ago, before ordinary trees yet existed. In China and Japan the ginkgo has for centuries been preserved from possible extinction by artificial planting around temples, graveyards, and similar spots. There it often grows to huge dimensions. In recent years it has been introduced into the United States, where it is coming into increasing favor as a shade tree for parks and city streets. [Source: Derk Bodde, Assistant Professor of Chinese, University of Pennsylvania, November 8, 1942, Asia for Educators, Columbia University afe.easia.columbia.edu]

During the Jurassic period (200 million to 145 million years ago) the ginkgo was widely distributed in the northern hemisphere but began to decline in the end of the Cretaceous period (145 million to 65 million years ago). When the Ice Age took hold, ginkgoes in Europe, North America and most part of Asia died out. Today wild ginkgoes exist only in patches in the western mountains of Zhejiang province in China. [Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, kepu.net.cn]

The ginkgo is also a precious tree species for timber wood and dried fruits and is used in Chinese medicine. Having retained many of its primitive traits, it has great scientific value to researches on the phylogeny of gymnosperms, ancient flora, palaeogeography, and ice age climate during the Quaternary period. With peculiar and beautiful leaf shape, it is also an excellent ornamental tree in gardening. The ginkgo tree has good resistance to flue dust and sulfur dioxide. Its seeds can be made into dried fruits. The leaves and seeds are be used in medicine. The ginkgo tree has been introduced to altitudes of 1740 to 1920 meters.

Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Plum and Bamboo

According to the National Palace Museum, Taipei: “The “three friends of winter” refer to the pine, plum, and bamboo. The origin of this term is found as early as the “Record of the Five-cloud Plum Cottage from The Clear Mountain Collection” of literary writings by Lin Ching-hsi (1241-1310, a Song Dynasty loyalist); “For his residence, earth was piled to form a hill and a hundred plum trees, which along with lofty pines and tall bamboo comprise the friends of winter, were planted. Every year, as the season progresses from autumn to winter, the days become progressively colder. While many plants and trees begin to wither away or shed their leaves, the pine, plum, and bamboo seem to do just the opposite with their surprising display of vitality. Indeed, this unique quality was not lost upon the ancient Chinese. [Source: National Palace Museum, Taipei, npm.gov.tw]

Metasequoia

“In Chinese thought, the always green and fragrant pine (bearing craggy and twisting branches) reaches up to the skies with its straight and powerful trunk like an upright person imbued with the strength and virtue to overcome all. In “The Analects of Confucius” (551-479 B.C.), it is written, “In winter, the pine and cypress are known as the last to fade away Consequently, the pine became considered as the ultimate test of time, symbolizing a wise old person who has withstood and experienced much.” Therefore, in “Records of the Grand Historian” by Ssu-ma Ch?ien (145-86 B.C.), the pine was already known as “Chief of the Trees.”

“Although the bamboo may not be nearly as imposing or sturdy as the pine, it too remains mostly green through the winter as segment upon segment reach out with abundance and stamina to withstand the cold. Unlike the pine, however, the stalk of the bamboo is hollow, which came to symbolize tolerance and open-mindedness. Furthermore, the flexibility and strength of the bamboo stalk also came to represent the human values of cultivation and integrity in which one yields but does not break.

“The plum tree is renowned for bursting into a riot of blossoms in the dead of winter. Its subtle fragrance spills forth at one of the coldest times of the year, making it difficult to go unnoticed. Though neither the plum tree nor its blossoms are very striking, they manage to exude an otherworldly exquisiteness and beautiful elegance during the desolation of winter. The demeanor and character of the plum tree thereby serves as a metaphor for inner beauty and humble display under adverse conditions.

“The praise that the Chinese have for the pine, plum, and bamboo derives from the natural ability of these trees and plants to withstand and even flourish in harsh environments. They became symbols that encouraged people to persevere in adversity, providing inspiration through consolation and determination. Consequently, these three became common subjects through the ages in Chinese painting and calligraphy. Because artists bring different sets of conditions, experiences and feelings to these subjects, the result is a variety of forms, expressions, and sentiments in their works.

Metasequoia — the Dinosaur-Era Tree of China

The metasequoia, found only in China, is believed to be one of the oldest tree species in the world. Metasequoia glyptostroboides (sometimes called Chinese red wood) is considered a "living fossil." It has great significance to research in paleobotany, paleoclimatology, paleogeography and geology as well as the phylogeny of gymnosperm. Because of its elegant shape, straight trunk and fast-growing quality, it is an excellent reforestation and timber tree in subtropical plains. Metasequoia can be found mainly at an altitude of 1720 to 1920 meters.[Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, kepu.net.cn]

A rare species, the metasequoia dates back to the Cretaceous period (145 million to 65 million years ago), when dinosaurs roamed the earth, or perhaps earlier. It was widely distributed across the northern hemisphere until the Ice Age when it nearly died out. Fossils of the metasequoia been found in strata from the cretaceous period to the Pliocene Period (5.3 million to 2.9 million years ago) in Europe, North America and East Asia.

In the 1940s, Chinese botanists found a huge, surviving, 400-year-old metasequoia in Modaoxi on the border between Hubei and Sichuan Provinces. Later on, a relic forest of the tree was found in Lichuan county of Hubei province, near where the the Redwood Dam is located today. More than 5,000 metasequoia there have a diameter more than 20centimeters. A healthy number of the trees was also found in nearby valleys and fields. After that, a number of over-200-year-old metasequoia were discovered in Lengshui of Shizhu county in Sichuan and Luota, Tani Lake of Longshan county in Hunan.

Asia's Tallest Tree Found in Tibet in the World's Deepest Canyon

Asia's tallest tree, image from {eking University

A cypress tree in in a forested area of Tibet is the tallest tree ever discovered in Asia. It is also believed to be the second-tallest tree in the world, standing at an astonishing 102 meters (335 feet) tall — taller than the Statue of Liberty, which stands is 93 meters (305 feet) tall. Lydia Smith, Live wrote in Live Science: The gigantic cypress was discovered in May, 2023 by a Peking University research team at the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon nature reserve in Bome County, Nyingchi City, in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. , according to a statement released by the university. The tree is 9.6 feet (2.9 meters) in diameter, according to the state-run Chinese publication the People's Daily Online. The species the cypress belongs to is unclear, although Chinese state media publications suggested it is either a Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa) or a Tibetan cypress (Cupressus gigantea).

Before this discovery, Asia's tallest tree was a 331-foot-tall (101 meters) yellow meranti (Shorea faguetiana) located in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia. The Tibet Autonomous Region has a unique ecosystem that is increasingly influenced by development and global climate change. However, the area — and in particular Nyingchi City — has recently been the focus of conservation efforts to protect flora and fauna. The Peking University researchers have documented tall trees in the region to better understand the area's environmental diversity and to help ecological protection efforts, the statement said.

In 2022, the team found a 272-foot-tall (83 meters) fir tree in southwest China, which they initially believed was the largest tree in China. The team also uncovered a 252-foot (77 meters) tree in Medog County a month earlier. Continuing their survey in 2023, the researchers used drones, lasers and radar equipment to map out the trees in the area and identify their heights from the ground. After days of field surveys, the cypress was found and confirmed as the tallest tree in Asia. Using drones, a 3D laser scanner and lidar technology — which uses light beams to provide distance measurements — the team created a 3D model of the enormous tree, providing accurate dimensions. Using this, they confirmed it was the tallest tree in Asia.

Guo Qinghua, a professor at the Institute of Remote Sensing of Peking University, told state newspaper the Global Times that the tree is interesting because its supporting roots are not completely buried underground. The tree also has a complex branching system that provides "ideal microclimates and habitats for some endangered plants and animals," a university statement said.

Currently, the tallest tree in the world is an 381-foot (116 meters) coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in the Redwood National Park in California. The tree, estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old and nicknamed Hyperion after one of the Titans in Greek mythology, was discovered in 2006.

Important Trees in China

Sichuan Larch (Sichuan hongshan) is a rare, precious and fast-growing timber wood tree species. It has great significance to the taxonomical research of the larch genus. Its wood is good quality and many trees have been felled for timer. An endangered species, the Sichuan larch is unique to China and can only be found in some areas of Sichuan. In the past, there were large-area forests made up predominately of Sichuan larches; but over time over-logging has reduced and deteriorated such forests., the Sichuan larch is now only sparsely distributed in small plots. The Sichuan Larch is mainly found in areas with an altitude of 1800 to 3200 meters in light forests or mixed forests. It has been used in reforestation in valley areas of low altitudes in west Sichuan. [Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, kepu.net.cn]

Picea Brachytyla var. Bomplanata is a valuable tree species for timber wood. The excellent wood can be used in making musical instruments, furniture, high-quality building and other things. It is also a good choice for tree regeneration in high mountains and forestation in uncultivated lands.A vulnerable species, Picea brachytyla var. complanata is unique to China and is mainly found in the Qingling Mountain, the mountain areas of the Daba Mountain, and north Sichuan. Due to over-logging, the areas in which it is found have decreased dramatically. At present pure forests of the Picea brachytyla var. complanata are sparse and isolated and due to the deterioration of forest environment the tree now bears very few seeds. Therefore, if protection measures are not taken, the species may well extinct. This tree can be mainly found in on the sunny slopes or half-shadowed slopes of mountains at an altitude of 2000 to 2800 meters, mixed with the bamboo forests or the coniferous forest.

Taxaceae can be found in the evergreen broad-leaved forests and the mixed forests of evergreen trees and deciduous trees. Unique to China and and a relic of the Tertiary period, this tree has fine and tight wood and resistance to water damage and therefore is a excellent choice in hydro-construction projects. The seeds of Taxaceae has over 60 percent of oil that can be used in soap-making, lubricating oil and medicine.

Interesting Trees in China

Pterostyrax psilophylla it is a beautiful tree species that has grand shape, fragrant flowers and beautiful leaves and grows fast. For these reasons, it is widely planted in gardening and reforestation. A vulnerable species in the wild , the Pterostyrax psilophylla is mainly found in the lower and middle mixed forest of evergreen and deciduous trees in the subtropical mountains of China. Due to overlogging, the forest environment it grows in has deteriorated severely. In addition, the tree’s blossoming has a inactive period, resulting in a has a weak natural regeneration ability. The area in which it is found has shrank and its numbers have decreased. The tree can be found at an altitude of 1800 to 2000 meters and grows sparsely on lower and middle mountain slopes.

Big-Leafed Willow (Salix magnifica Schneid) is an unusual member of the willow family, the big-leafed willow has huge leaves that are similar to leaves of a magnolia. New leaves are red in color. Its flowers are long and yellow, yellow-red or reddish in color. A beautiful ornamental tree and in the wild, the big-leafed willow is found only in a small area of wester Sichuan near valleys and streams at an altitude of 1900 to 3000 meters.

Chinese Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata Baillon) is an ancient, rare and beautiful tree. When it is in full bloom, the two distinctive big bracts under the anthodium look very much like a doves tree with their wings open — hence its name. Because its anthodium and the morphological characteristics of the flower are different from other genera of the same family, some scholars place it an independent family. The fine timber wood of this a world-famous ornamental tree can be used to make furniture. An autogenus plant unique to China, the Chinese dove tree is a relic of the palaeotropical flora in the tertiary period. Due to overlogging and transplantation of wild saplings, both the number and area in which this tree is found of wild is very small now, mostly broad-leaved forest or mixed forest of evergreen and deciduous trees at an altitude 1450 to 1800 meters. Wolong Natural Reserve, famous of its pandas, contains 70,000 hectares of these trees.

Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense) is a vulnerable species also called Huang Poluo or Huang Pai in Chinese. The cork tree is a relict of the palaeotropical floran in the tertiary period and a valuable timber wood species of China. Aromatic oil can be extracted from cork tree leaves; and fixed oil and a sugar taken from the tree are used in industry and medicine. Due to overlogging, this species has become very rare. In the wild it is found at an altitude of 1700 to 1859 meters. [Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences,kepu.net]

Rare Trees in China

Flowers of the Chinese Dove Tree

Wild Chestnut Trees (Juglans regia) are vulnerable species. They are oil and dried nut bearing ligneous plants and relicts of the deciduous broad-leaved forests of the Tertiary period (66 million to 2.6 million years ago), Although widely planted, the areas in which they are is found of wild, such as some valleys of Yili in Xinjiang, are quite limited,. Due to the conversion of land to pastures and logging, only eight wild chestnut trees remains in Daxigou of Huocheng and a little more than one thousand in Wild Chestnut Valley of Gongliu county. Chestnut trees are important economic tree species and wild ones are valuable to scientists studying palaeobotanical flora changes and palaeogeography as well as climate changes during the Tertiary period (66 million to 2.6 million years ago) and the quaternary period. These trees can be found at altitude of 1500 to 2000 meters. [Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, kepu.net.cn]

Veitch's Spruce (Picea neoveitchii) are an endangered species that grows in some of the mountain areas south to the Qingling Mountain. For a long time, its natural habitat has decreased due to human destruction. Except the small-size pure forest of veitch spruce in Xinjiashan Moutnain of Fengyang County, all the other veitch's spruce trees are sparsely distributed. Because of severe destruction, the number of surviving spruce trees is very small. What's more, it is a unusual plant with big and wide central plates; and therefore has great significant to forest diversity protection and researches on botanic flora, taxonomy of the picea. It has straight trunk that is excellent timber wood for house building and furniture. This tree has been introduced to forests at an altitude of 1920 meters.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum is rare, relict species is mainly found in the warm temperate zone and subtropical zone of China and is also found in Japan. Due to poor fruition and vulnerability as saplings, these trees have a difficulty naturally regenerating. The sapling forest of the species is very rare. Over-logging and plantations has caused the the area in which they found to shrink sharply. Pure forest of cercidiphyllum japonicums are rarely seen now. Cercidiphyllum japonicums are relicts of the Tertiary period (66 million to 2.6 million years ago), They have has scientific value in elucidating the origin of flora in the Tertiary period and relations of the floras in China and Japan. These trees grow tall and grand shape and have an unusual leaf-shape. They are found mainly in the broad-leavedforest of sunny slopes or valleys at elevations of 40 to 2700 meters.

Bretschneidera sinensis is a rare species unique to China, Known in Chinese as the s Bo'Le or Zhong'e wood tree, it is sparsely distributed in the lower and middle mountains in the subtropical zone, and is rarely seen. Due to human disruptions and difficulties in bearing fruit and regeneration, it is on the edge of extinction. The only member of the bretschneidera family, it is an ancient relict that has great significance to researches on the phylogeny of angiosperm and palaeogeoraphy. It has moderately-hard timber wood which does not crack and has beautiful patterns, making it an excellent choice for furniture and craftsmanship. This tree can be found It is often distributed in the valleys and slopes with brooks at altitudes of 500 to 2000 meters.

Magnolias

Magnolias are one of the most primitive plants in evolutionary history and fossil records show that magnolias once existed in Europe, North America and Asia over 100 million years ago. Today they are indigenous only in Southern China and the Southern United States. There are about 80 species of magnolia of which roughly half are tropical.

Magnolia officinalis (commonly called houpu magnolia or magnolia-bark) is a species of Magnolia native to the mountains and valleys of China at altitudes of 300–1500 meters. It is widely distributed in the north subtropical zone. Its bark can be used in medicine. Due to over-barking and logging, the number of trees has shrunk sharply. Now, wild magnolias are rarely seen. Most forests of magnolia are made up of artificially planted trees.

The officinal magnolia is a widely distributed throughout southern China. It has scientific significance to researches on East Asia and North America flora and taxonomy of the magnolia family. The officinal magnolia is valued for both it medical use and as a timber wood. Its big leaves and the shade the tree offers as well as its beautiful big flowers make it a popular ornamental and roadside tree species.

The round-leafed magnolia(Magnolia sinensis) is vulnerable species is mainly found in a limited area of central and north Sichuan. Due to the deterioration of its natural habitat and the removal of its bark for traditional medicine, its numbers are decreasing rapidly. This plant can be found It is only found in Tianquan, Lushan and Wenchuan of Sichuan province. It grows in forest borders and shrub forests at an altitude of 2000 to 2600 meters. The round-leafed magnolia is a primitive member of the magnolia genus. It is important in the study on the phylogeny of the magnolia genus. It produces big, beautiful flowers and has the potential to be introduced into gardening as an ornamental plant. [Source: Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences, kepu.net.cn]

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

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Last updated April 2025