In Hainan's busy city streets and ancient, peaceful villages alike, you will often see a certain kind of large tree with a wide canopy and strong branches. These are Chinese Bishopwood trees. In Chinese, this tree shares its name with a traditional festival, the Chongyang, or Double Ninth Festival, which celebrates longevity. According to legend, in ancient times, when people were hiking up mountains (a popular way to celebrate the Chongyang Festival) they would often rest in the cool shade provided by this large tree. Some people say that the tree’s leaves fall and its fruit ripens on the day of the Double Ninth Festival, and thanks to the slow maturation and long lifespan of this tree, it is regarded as a symbol of great blessings.

A towering Chinese Bishopwood tree shades the boardwalk in the Wuzhishan tropical rainforest. Photo: Chen Geng

A native Chinese tree species, the Chinese Bishopwood is highly adapted to its local environment, a phenomenon that can be clearly seen in Hainan. The tree is resistant to heat, moisture, and wind, all conditions that are very common in the Hainan climate! Along Haikou's Binjiang Road, Fengxiang Road, and Guoxing Avenue, the Chinese Bishopwood stands side by side with its close relative, the Autumn Maple, creating vibrant, green, shady corridors along the city. Especially in Hainan, with long summers and no harsh winter weather, these huge, leafy trees provide valuable cooling relief for pedestrians and the city landscape, alleviating the 'urban heat island' effect.

The main trees lining Haikou's Huoshankou Avenue are Chinese Bishopwood trees. Photo provided by interviewee

The connection between the Chinese Bishopwood tree and the people of Hainan is actually much deeper than simply an appreciation for shade. In the past, the tree’s sturdy, durable wood made it an important construction material for both houses and boats. Even better, boats built from native Hainan wood like the Chinese Bishopwood actually become even harder after long periods of seawater immersion. After a boat is decommissioned, the wood is given new life, transformed by skilled craftsmen into furniture and cultural artifacts embodying the memories of the island’s fishing families and showcasing the sustainability, beauty, and ingenuity of Hainan craftsmanship.

In Hainan, the tradition of respecting nature and protecting ancient trees has also allowed many century-old Chinese Bishopwood trees to continue to survive and even thrive. The tree that shelters the Cai Family Residence in Liuke Village, Boao Town, Qionghai City is an excellent example. Experts have evaluated the tree as over 800 years old, making it the oldest known Chinese Bishopwood tree in Hainan. This vibrant green tree is not only a miracle of the plant world, but also a living witness to the cultural history of Hainan.

An ancient Chinese Bishopwood tree is covered in healthy green leaves every year at the Cai Family Residence in Liuke Village, Boao Town, Qionghai City. Photo: Meng Zhongde

Native Hainan species like the Chinese Bishopwood have significant advantages over exotic species introduced from outside the island. The trees are well adapted to local soil and water conditions, are easy to grow and maintain, have low maintenance costs, and pose no ecological invasion risks. In the green shade of Haikou's Huoshankou Avenue as well as in lush park landscapes, the Chinese Bishopwood silently demonstrates the high value of native species in ecological protection and sustainable development.

File Photo: The fruit of the Chinese Bishopwood tree resembles longan fruit.

As China's Longevity Festival arrives, while showing respect and honor to the elderly people of Hainan, let’s also look up and also recognize the 'elderly trees' that shade our streets, beautify our parks, and cheer our spirits. The Chinese Bishopwood tree is more than just part of the background of our lives, it’s a companion from nature that forms an important part of the life and memory of this tropical island province.