In recent years, our city has earnestly implemented the Regulations of Anhui Province on the Protection of Ancient and Notable Trees, establishing a comprehensive protection system characterized by full coverage, precision management, in-depth exploration, and all-round safeguarding. To date, all 4,813 ancient and notable trees across the city have been placed under plaque-based protection.
The city has built a multi-dimensional survey and monitoring network for ancient and notable tree resources, expanding coverage and improving accuracy through technologies such as remote sensing and drones. A dedicated hotline has been set up to collect public leads, encouraging broad public participation in protection efforts. A reserve database has also been established for trees aged 80 to under 100 years, enabling forward-looking protection planning; over the past three years, 28 additional ancient trees have been newly identified.
A closed-loop management mechanism of “monitoring–early warning–response” has been put in place. Monitoring devices have been installed on 52 ancient trees to capture abnormalities in real time. The monitoring of ancient and notable trees has been incorporated into the routine responsibilities of 7,118 ecological forest rangers citywide. In coordination with public security authorities, a Special Action for the Protection of Ancient and Notable Trees has been carried out, resulting in the rescue and restoration of 445 weakened or endangered ancient trees over the past three years.
At the same time, the city has intensified efforts to explore the cultural value of ancient and notable trees, promoting the transformation of “ecological resources” into “cultural assets.” Landmarks such as the millennium-old Anhui Osmanthus King in Mabu Town, Jinzhai County; the thousand-year-old ginkgo at Gufotang in Huoshan County; and the Wanfo Pine in Shucheng County have become popular cultural and tourism destinations. The Tongyuan Ancient Tree Cluster in Jinzhai County has been selected as one of the “Top 100 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in China,” further enhancing the role of ancient trees as important carriers of regional culture.
The city has issued the Measures of Lu’an City for the Protection of Ancient and Notable Trees and the Measures for the Protection of Ancient and Notable Trees within the Urban Planning Area of Lu’an City, established a professional database for ancient and notable tree protection, and incorporated this work into the Forest Chief System performance evaluation. Adhering to a diversified funding model combining government investment, higher-level support, and public participation, the city has secured a total of RMB 4.512 million in fiscal funds for the protection and restoration of ancient and notable trees in recent years. In addition, the ginkgo protection project in Huanghe Village, Tiantangzhai Town, Jinzhai County, raised over RMB 20,000 in public donations.