mk Zhejiang Province in September 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Zhaojia township government" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-02-27/9551dc72-84fc-47d9-ab05-21f29732b07c.jpeg" />

Villagers pick the Chinese torreya nuts in Zhaojia township, Zhejiang Province in September 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Zhaojia township government

In the vast 400-square-kilometer area of the Kuaiji Mountain in ­Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, a collection of torreya trees has stood the test of time. Among them are tens of thousands of trees that are over 100 years old, with nearly 100 trees exceeding 1,000 years in age. 

Zhan'ao village is located at the heart of this ancient Chinese torreya tree group. For centuries, generations of villagers have dedicated themselves to safeguarding these natural wonders.

Huang Tianming, the village's Party secretary, is one such guardian. At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2024, Huang shared the collective efforts of the villagers to protect these ancient trees in his hometown.

"This is an example of how China's protection of ancient trees aligns deeply with global sustainable development principles. Through simple grassroots practices, it offers Chinese wisdom for global ecological governance," Liu Lili, deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration's Ecological Conservation Department, remarked on February 14.

As China's first national-level regulations to protect ancient and notable trees are set to come into effect on March 15, the Global Times spoke with Huang and other professionals to gain insight into China's practical approach to precious tree conservation.

Chinese torreya tree guardian Huang Tianming Photo: Courtesy of Huang Tianming

A lifelong commitment

The oldest Chinese torreya tree in Zhan'ao village was over 1,500 years old. The story of the villagers and these ancient trees dates back more than 800 years, spanning 66 generations since their ancestors first settled in the area, the 63-year-old Huang told the Global Times. Huang's own family has cared for more than 26 Chinese torreya trees of over 100 years old. 

According to Huang, who has been dedicated to caring for Chinese torreya trees for over four decades, he spends more than 200 days every year in the Chinese torreya forest, weeding, fertilizing, and pruning. In his family, six generations are involved in the conservation effort, with the oldest member being 98 years old. Nowadays, when Huang climbs the mountain, he often brings along his grandchildren. 

The Chinese torreya trees are particularly sensitive to climate change. Heavy snowfall, for example, can damage the trees if not removed promptly. "If you treat the Chinese torreya trees well, they will return the favor," Huang noted, as the Chinese torreya trees are not only environmentally significant, but also serve as an economic resource. The wood of the tree is highly prized for its quality, and its fruits have various culinary uses such as in chocolate and nuts. This sentiment reflects the deep symbiotic relationship between the villagers and the trees.

Huang told the Global Times that Jidong township has organized study sessions on the upcoming regulations to protect ancient and notable trees. When the regulations come into effect, more protection measures are expected to be implemented, further strengthening the importance of preserving local ancient Chinese torreya trees.

Historical progress

According to the new regulations, ancient trees are those that are over 100 years old. Notable trees, which hold historical or cultural importance, play a crucial role in biodiversity, cultural heritage, and ecological sustainability.

The regulations will establish legal frameworks for resource surveys, conservation, and cultural preservation, as well as penalties for damaging these natural assets, addressing gaps in existing laws.

The upcoming regulations are a "historical progress," Zhang Yujun, a professor and director of the National Park Research Center of the Beijing Forestry University, told the Global Times.

According to Zhang, ancient trees, some standing for centuries or ­millennia, are vital for genetic diversity and hold immense cultural value. Many coexist with historic architecture, symbolizing the wisdom of survival and reflecting the evolving ­human-nature relationship. Throughout history, trees have also been seen as symbols of spiritual sustenance and faith.

"The decision to establish specific regulations for the protection of ancient and notable trees stems from the fact that they are already collectively considered a valuable natural and cultural heritage. However, the survival of ancient and notable trees is increasingly threatened by various factors, such as ground hardening and light pollution," Zhang said, adding that it is therefore "necessary to implement unified, scientific, and stringent standards to guide and regulate conservation efforts effectively."

A national survey conducted from 2015 to 2021 identified 5.08 million ancient and notable trees in China, 246,600 of which were in urban areas.

Authorities will conduct another national survey to update tree databases this year, implement a smart management system for "one-tree-one-file" monitoring, and mandate uniform tagging and tailored protective measures, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Yu Yan, the Party secretary of Zhaojia township, an important planting area for Chinese torreya trees in Zhuji, Zhejiang, which boasts more than 2,700 Chinese torreya trees that are over 1,000 years in age, told the Global Times that based on the results of the previous survey of ancient and notable trees, efforts will be made to mobilize resources from five villages in the town's Chinese torreya production area to gradually advance the survey work.

Yu said the regulations emphasize protection while also permitting the rational use of ancient and famous tree resources for scientific research, eco-tourism, and other ­activities, provided that the ancient trees and their growing environment are not damaged. This provides support for Zhaojia township to develop eco-tourism, scientific research, and other industries based on the ancient torreya trees. 

"Through rational utilization, the economic value of the ancient torreya trees can be further enhanced, contributing to the rural revitalization of the local areas," Yu said.

Both Yu and Zhu Zhiyu, deputy director of the Urban Construction Office in Jidong town, told the Global Times that they are coordinating with relevant authorities in the work of the national survey of ancient trees. Mobilization efforts have already begun in key villages.