Experts in coastal Fujian Province recently discovered an ancient Chinese scholar tree which is included on the list of ancient and famous trees under top state protection.
The 900-year-old tree was found in Chengmen Town of Fuzhou, the provincial capital, and is 10 meters tall with a diameter of 1.4 meters.
Infested by red ants, the tree is now hollow inside with thin leaves. Yet it is still able to sprout, said Xu Wei, a senior researcher at the local gardening bureau.
More interesting, there is a smaller and much younger Chinese scholar tree in the shadow of the ancient one. It is nearly 70 centimeters tall and believed to be a "son" of the older tree.
It is said that the village has a history of about 900 years.
Villagers called for measures to be taken to conserve the endangered ancient Chinese scholar tree.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2003)
