Hohhot city strengthens protection of ancient trees
This beautiful ancient tree is located in Hohhot. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, is to carry out rescue protection and conservation of 25 ancient and famous trees across the city, according to local media reports.
Following a census on ancient trees in the autonomous region in 2018, 157 large ancient trees were identified standing by themselves at various locations throughout the city, with 10 clusters containing another 14,098 ancient trees in Hohhot.
This ancient elm is located in Dongwusutu village, Huimin district, in Hohhot. Experts say it is 600 years old and in great health, with lush foliage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Divided by species, there are currently 12 families and 20 genera of ancient trees in Hohhot, most of which are poplar, elm, pine, cypress and apricot trees.
Classified by age, there are 18 so-called first-class ancient trees that are over 500 years old, 37 second-class ancient trees 300-499 years old, with the rest third-class trees 100-299 years old – mainly distributed on the grounds of temples and ancient buildings, in villages and next to dwellings, on mountains and in other places.
In recent years, Hohhot city has undertaken various measures to protect them. After investigation, 45 in urgent need of protection were sprayed with a protective whitewash on their trunks, sprayed with pesticides and treated for trunk injuries, while other pest controls were carried out.
In the case of demolished and reconstructed urban villages – where old trees stand amid the ruins after the village has been resettled – rescue protection is carried out by removing debris, erecting fences and designating maintenance responsibilities.