A 2000-year-old ancient cypress gets a new lease of life, bursting with vitality

"Emperor Wu Cypress" successfully relocated with protective measures

The Nangoumen Water Conservancy Hub Project in Yan'an City is a medium-sized water conservancy hub project approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. Within the submerged area of this water conservancy project, in Shijiahe Village, there grows a Chinese arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) over 2000 years old, with a ground diameter of 3.05 m and a height of 18.5 m. It is one of the few remaining extra-large ancient cypress trees in China. Locally it is called the "Emperor Wu Cypress," also known as the "Laojun Cypress." In accordance with the relevant regulations on the protection of ancient and famous trees, after research and verification by forestry experts and upon approval by the provincial government, a protective relocation of the "Emperor Wu Cypress" was carried out.

The relocation of the "Emperor Wu Cypress" was launched, with Zhejiang Senhe Seed Industry Co., Ltd. winning the bid for implementation. The project was carried out in three stages: the first stage was pre-relocation maintenance; the second stage was the relocation; the third stage was post-relocation care and rejuvenation. The first and second stages were completed (lasting 482 days), the "Emperor Wu Cypress" was successfully relocated, and it entered the third stage, a 5-year care period. During the second stage, for the hoisting and transport of the ancient tree, an advanced domestic 650-ton crawler crane and a ten-axle hydraulic flatbed trailer were rented. The root soil ball reached a diameter of 9 m, and the actual hoisting weight reached 450 tons. In terms of tree age, total weight and relocation technical difficulty, this relocation of the "Emperor Wu Cypress" can be called the greatest in the world. At present, the relocated "Emperor Wu Cypress" is growing vigorously, and preparations are underway for applying for a Guinness World Record. After the 5-year care period expires, it will officially apply for the Guinness World Record.

This protective relocation project of the ancient cypress made full use of plant physiology theory, formed a set of scientific and meticulous relocation technical plans, creatively used the three-time balanced pruning method for ancient trees and the steel-framed basket soil ball packaging technology for ancient tree relocation, and obtained a national patent.

Original appearance of the ancient cypress

The ancient cypress after relocation

Trunk of the ancient cypress before relocation

Trunk of the ancient cypress after relocation

Local people paying respects before the relocation work began

Root exploration work before relocation, to determine the underground distribution and growth condition of the tree roots.

Rejuvenation holes installed before relocation to strengthen the tree's vigor.

Installing rejuvenation holes.

Fertilizing through the rejuvenation holes

Tree body cleaning and maintenance

Cavity repair and reinforcement, to prevent damage to the tree body during relocation.

Balanced pruning, pruning branches and leaves to reduce nutrient and water consumption by the tree body and balance aboveground and underground nutrients and water.

Root severing, cutting the tree roots according to the determined size of the relocation soil ball.

Repair of severed root wounds, applying medicine to repair the severed root wounds, prevent disease, and induce new roots.

Detection of the groundwater level at the relocation site

Wrapping the soil ball

Soil ball

Reinforcing the soil ball

Soil ball packaging completed, ready for hoisting.

To ensure successful hoisting, an advanced domestic 650-ton crawler crane was rented.

For transport, an advanced domestic 164-wheel ten-axle hydraulic flatbed trailer was used.

Successfully lifted, with a total hoisting weight of 450 tons.

During hoisting

Successfully setting off

On the way

Celebration ceremony held after successful relocation

Moisturizing and humidifying spray system installed on the tree after relocation

Nutrient solution irrigated through the rejuvenation holes after relocation

Partial view after relocation

Brief introduction to the "Emperor Wu Cypress"

The "Emperor Wu Cypress," also called the "Laojun Cypress," was originally located in front of the Laojun Temple in Shijiahe, Adang Town, Huangling County, Shaanxi Province, hence its name. The tree is 18.5 m tall, 3.5 m in diameter, and over 2000 years old. Because the construction of the Nangoumen Reservoir placed it in the submerged area, this cypress was relocated on March 26, 2011 to Qianchuanzhuang Village in front of the Nangoumen Reservoir.

In 110 BC, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, returned victorious from his northern expedition to Shuofang. After building the "Nine-Turn Immortal-Praying Terrace" on Qiaoshan to sacrifice at the mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, he learned that on the ancient merchant route along the Hulu River there was a "Laojun Temple," where merchants gathered and incense burned prosperously. Emperor Wu revered the teachings of "Huang-Lao," so he personally went to the Laojun Temple in Shijiahe Village to burn incense and pay homage, and personally planted a cypress in front of the temple as a mark of his resolve to promote the way of the state. Legend says that when Emperor Wu planted the cypress, he suddenly saw purple qi coming from the east and auspicious clouds swirling around. Ministers, soldiers and common people all bowed their heads in worship, saying that this cypress had received the spiritual power of Laojun! Emperor Wu was overjoyed and bestowed on it the name "Laojun Cypress."

Afterward, this cypress was carefully tended by the temple keepers and local people. Over thousands of years, though it endured many calamities, it was not destroyed, and the Laojun Temple consequently enjoyed flourishing incense. On every festival, local people burned incense and presented offerings in an endless stream. Some people also used cypress leaves, cypress seeds and cypress sap to clear the mind, brighten the eyes and stop bleeding, and it proved effective in use. Some prayed for sons and daughters, or prayed for peace, and it is said that none of their prayers went unanswered. Some elders even said that anyone who came to devoutly worship the ancient cypress before the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth month could dispel illness and evil and prolong life. Later the Laojun Temple was destroyed, yet the "Laojun Cypress" stood proudly erect. The people revered the "Laojun Cypress" even more, worshipping and protecting it without cease, honoring it as a "sacred tree" and also respectfully calling it the "Emperor Wu Cypress." Now the relocated "Emperor Wu Cypress," under people's admiration, still appears luxuriant in branches and leaves. Its evergreen longevity is the best blessing for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

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