Chen Xingzong: Camphor trees brutally amputated, struggling to survive under scorching heat

April 20, 11:10 a.m., the sky was cloudy with occasional sunlight reaching the ground. Although the temperature was only 28-30°C, the road surface, having continuously absorbed heat radiation, was giving off waves of rising hot air.

This is a large camphor tree growing beside the Zhuoshui River in Linnei Township. I'll call it the Linnei Pengcuo camphor for now. It once had a beautiful and happy life, until recently, apparently because a utility pole base was to be installed nearby, it faced major amputation surgery. It is now struggling hard to survive, sprouting many adventitious buds.

By the time I noticed it, it had already been cut down to the appearance it has now. I really regret not having captured its beautiful form before the amputation.