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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Researchers measure the Himalayan yew. /CMG
A wild Himalayan yew, estimated to be over a thousand years old, was recently discovered in the Fengqing region of Lancang River Provincial Nature Reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
During a scientific survey of the area's plant resources in collaboration with Professor Shi Songlin from Chengdu University of Technology, a team found the yew measuring approximately 12 meters in height with a trunk diameter of 132 centimeters.
According to Professor Shi, it is extremely rare to find a wild Himalayan yew of this size in the wild due to the species' slow growth and challenging living conditions. This discovery is unprecedented, and it is highly likely that the tree's age exceeds a thousand years.
Closeup of the Himalayan yew's leaves and branches. /CMG
The wild Himalayan yew is classified as a species under state protection in the country. According to a preliminary survey, Fengqing County is home to over 1,000 of these trees, spanning approximately 8,000 mu (about 533 hectares). They predominantly grow at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 meters and are scattered in a belt-like distribution.
The discovery of this ancient wild Himalayan yew sets a new record for the largest trunk diameter and estimated age of these trees in Fengqing County. It holds significant importance for research on the origins of the Himalayan yew species and its environmental conditions.