When people think of Hainan, they often picture sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. But hidden deep in the island’s lush rainforest lies something even more remarkable: some of China’s oldest living trees.
Among them, a Dacrydium elatum in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is believed to be a staggering 2,600 years old. Known as the “Five-Finger Divine Tree,” it has survived dynasties, wars, and countless storms, standing as a silent testament to the island’s natural heritage.
A Towering Testament to Time
The Five-Finger Divine Tree is a giant. At 28 meters tall, with a girth of 7.2 meters and a canopy stretching 27 meters wide, this ancient tree requires six people to encircle its base. Its five massive branches twist counterclockwise, resembling the fingers of an outstretched hand. This distinctive form, along with its sheer size, has earned it a place among China’s 85 “Most Beautiful Ancient Trees,” as recognized by the Chinese Forestry Society in 2017.
A Witness to Millennia of History
To put its age into context, when this tree was just a sapling, the Roman Empire did not yet exist, Rome was still a small city-state, centuries away from becoming a republic and eventually an empire. Across the world, the Persian Empire was rising under Cyrus the Great, Confucius was laying the foundations of Chinese philosophy, and the construction of the Parthenon in Athens was still a century away. Meanwhile, Buddhism was beginning to take root in India, shaping spiritual traditions that would spread across Asia.
Hainan’s Living Relics: A Forest of Ancients
The Five-Finger Divine Tree is just one of 17,864 ancient and famous trees documented across Hainan. Eight of these trees are over 1,000 years old, including a 1,500-year-old tamarind tree in Dongfang City’s Longwo Village. The province’s diverse collection of historic trees includes banyans, lychees, longans, mangoes, kapoks, and even rare species like Hainan maple and Hainan rosewood.
Dacrydium elatum is known as the king of trees in the tropical rainforest and is a precious species under national protection.
Regulations on the Protection of Ancient and Famous Trees
China recently implemented the Regulations on the Protection of Ancient and Famous Trees, providing national-level guidelines for safeguarding these natural treasures. Trees over 500 years old are classified as first-level protected, while those between 300 and 500 years receive second-level protection. Even younger trees with historical or cultural significance are safeguarded under the new rules.
A Future Rooted in Preservation
Beyond laws and classifications, the real challenge lies in conservation. Hainan has taken an active role in protecting its ancient trees by enforcing strict regulations, conducting scientific health assessments, and leveraging technology to create a smart management system. Routine inspections, maintenance, and even emergency rescue efforts ensure these trees continue to thrive.
Public awareness also plays a crucial role. Local communities and ecotourism initiatives are helping preserve Hainan’s ancient trees by educating visitors on their significance. These trees are more than just botanical wonders—they are storytellers, keepers of history, and symbols of resilience.
Why Ancient Trees Matter
The Five-Finger Divine Tree and other ancient trees across Hainan do more than just impress with their age and size. They provide ecological stability, store carbon, support biodiversity, and serve as cultural landmarks. Their survival is a reminder of nature’s endurance and the importance of conservation in a rapidly changing world.
So next time you think of Hainan, picture not just its sunlit shores but also the towering sentinels in its rainforests—trees that have seen countless civilizations rise and fall, yet continue to stand tall.
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