Gardening experts in China aren't about to let their local ancient tree die. They're trying to revitalize the tree with traditional Chinese medicine.
Posted on August 28, 2003 10:00 AM. Filed under: history & archaeology.TIANJIN, Aug. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Gardening and forestry experts are saving a dying ancient pine in north China's municipality of Tianjin with a therapy of traditional Chinese medicine.
A landmark on Mount Panshan, a state-level scenic site in Jixian county, the old pine is called yingkesong, or "welcoming pine," because of its shape of opening arms.
The pine, believed to be 400 to 600 years old, became withered in 1997, and though rescuing measures were taken, it remained in danger of death.
Living leaves and branches could be seen only on a small part of the crown and only a width of less than 10 centimeters of the trunk was kept alive.
Led by Li Jinling, an expert dubbed "savior of ancient trees" from the Beijing Gardening Bureau, experts from Beijing and Tianjin are treating the pine in a more holistic, traditional Chinese method.
"We take the pine as a human body," said Chen Xiaokui, an expert with the Tianjin Gardening and Forestation Institute. "And in diagnosis, we not only took into consideration its symptoms, but also the impact its environment might have on it."
The diagnosis showed that the roots were dying as a result of the fluctuation of water under the stone bridge where the ancient pine roots, which meant the old tree could not get enough water, Chen said.
Worm-eating was another factor leaving the pine on the verge of death, according to Chen.
Inspired by the theory of qi, or vital energy, in traditional Chinese medical science, and in order to achieve a balance of air getting into and out of the plant roots, the experts decided to aerate the soil around the pine by digging grooves and holes to let in more air.
After deciding what nutrients the pine lacked by testing the leaves and the soil, Chinese medicine believed to be helpful for recuperation was poured into the soil for the roots to absorb.
The ancient tree was also wrapped with sacks soaked in Chinese medicine to ward off woodworms. [continue]