China is embarking on a nationwide initiative to tag and protect its ancient and notable trees, reinforcing their status as “green national treasures” and “living cultural relics.” The move comes after the enactment of China’s first national-level regulations aimed at safeguarding these natural assets, set to take effect on March 15.
Zhang Liming, director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration’s ecological protection and restoration department, announced the initiative, highlighting its alignment with China’s broader goals of building an ecological civilization and preserving cultural identity. “These trees are vital to our biodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecological sustainability,” Zhang said.
According to the new regulations, ancient trees are those over 100 years old, while notable trees hold significant historical or cultural importance. A national survey conducted from 2015 to 2021 identified over 5 million ancient and notable trees across China, with more than 246,000 located in urban areas.
The survey revealed that the majority of ancient trees are between 100 and 299 years old, totaling nearly 1 million. There are also over 160,000 trees aged between 300 and 499 years, and more than 68,000 trees over 500 years old, including 10,745 trees surpassing 1,000 years and five remarkable trees over 5,000 years old.
Despite progress in recent years, challenges such as illegal logging, unauthorized transplantation, inconsistent enforcement, and occasional vandalism have necessitated stronger safeguards. The regulations establish legal frameworks for resource surveys, conservation, cultural preservation, and penalties for damaging these treasured trees.
Looking ahead, authorities plan to conduct another national survey to update tree databases. They aim to implement a smart management system for “one-tree-one-file” monitoring, mandate uniform tagging, and establish tailored protective measures. Efforts will also focus on exploring funding mechanisms, including insurance schemes and central fiscal support, while advancing research on conservation technologies.
“Protecting these ancient trees is not just about preserving the past; it’s about investing in our future,” Zhang emphasized. “By safeguarding these living relics, we’re ensuring that our natural and cultural heritage endures for generations to come.”
