As spring unfolds its warm embrace and flowers bloom, it's the season for trees to burst forth with vibrant greenery. From the sturdy Sophora japonica and poplars lining the streets to the revered ginkgo trees hailed as living fossils, these trees may seem ordinary at first glance but often harbor rich stories. With China's 46th Arbor Day approaching, let's delve into the trees of Beijing together!
In 1987, during the Sixth Session of the Eighth Beijing Municipal People's Congress, a resolution was passed to designate Beijing's city tree and city flower: the Chinese junipers, Sophora japonica, and roses. The majestic Chinese junipers and the lush Sophora japonica stood out in this selection process. Both are native and commonly seen trees in Beijing, but they also symbolize the royal majesty and urban life of the city.
Platycladus orientalis
Photo: Capital landscaping
"Strong and resilient, defying winter's chill, awaiting the warmth of the years. Not just a fragrance, but a source of longevity," as praised by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Yi in his ode to the noble character and medicinal properties of Platycladus orientalis. "Only after the harshness of winter does one appreciate the steadfastness of pines and cypresses." Platycladus orientalis are perceived as a symbol of resilience and fortitude in Chinese culture.
Photo: Capital landscaping
Native to northern China, the Chinese juniper is an evergreen coniferous tree that can reach up to 20 meters in height. It is widely cultivated in Beijing and commonly found in famous mountains and ancient temples. Natural forests of Chinese junipers also exist in various regions, including Xinglong in Hebei, the Taihang Mountains in Shanxi, the Weihe River basin north of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi, and valleys along the Lancang River in Yunnan, growing at altitudes ranging from 250 to 3,300 meters.
Photo: Capital landscaping
Photo: Capital landscaping
In Beijing, the Platycladus orientalis has a long history of cultivation. Its wood is used for construction and furniture, while its branches, leaves, and seeds are used in traditional medicine for their hemostatic, antirheumatic, diuretic, antitussive, and sedative properties. With its graceful appearance, it is often planted as an ornamental tree in courtyards. The royal buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, such as Zhongshan Park on the east and west sides of Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the Altar of Earth and Harvests, strictly adhere to the ancient rule of " facing the imperial palace in the front and the marketplace in the rear, with the ancestral temple on the left and the altar of the earth on the right," as prescribed in the Rites of Zhou-Artificers Record. Walking among these ancient structures, one can still find many Platycladus orientalis several hundred years old, exuding a dignified atmosphere. The Summer Palace, a royal retreat, also features Chinese junipers, adding a solemn touch to the leisurely amusement grounds.
Sophora japonica
Photo: National Botanical Garden
The Sophora japonica is a deciduous tree that can reach a height of up to 25 meters. Native to China, it is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere and is widely cultivated in various provinces across the country, with a particularly abundant presencein the North China and Loess Plateau regions. Due to its excellent shading effect and strong resistance to toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and chlorine, the Sophora japonica is commonly planted in Beijing's gardens and along roadsides as avenue trees. The wood of the Sophora japonica is suitable for construction and furniture making, while its pods, flower buds, and flowers are used in traditional medicine, known for their properties of cooling the blood to stop bleeding and clearing the liver to improve vision.
Photo: National Botanical Garden
With a long history of cultivation in China since the Han Dynasty, Sophora japonica have been widely planted along the roads and postal routes of Beijing and other regions, and many ancient Sophora japonica still stand in Beijing today. The Sophora japonica is endowed with noble, beautiful, upright, steadfast, and broad-minded characteristics. Ancient Chinese believed that the Sophora japonica was condensed from the qi of the virtual star in the sky (Spring and Autumn Annals: Preface), and the Rites of Zhou records that three Sophora japonica were planted outside the palace gate in Zhou Dynasty to represent the grand tutor, grand mentor, and grand guardian, highlighting the esteemed status of Sophora japonica at the time.
"Old Sophora japonica, purple wisteria, and siheyuan" are unique features of old Beijing. The pale Sophora japonica flowers and clusters of butterfly-shaped wisteria flowers adorn the springtime scenery of the hutongs, entrancing passersby with their fragrances. The Sophora japonica is emotionally deeply ingrained in the memories of Beijing residents. Seeing the Sophora japonica, Beijing residents are reminded of children playing and frolicking in the hutong lanes, men sitting under the trees, sipping tea and playing chess, the enticing aroma of dishes emanating from the quadrangle courtyard, and the sweet dreams accompanied by the fragrance of Sophora japonica flowers.
