Huangshan pine named by Annan in 2006, shaped like an umbrella, now under special protection

On May 21, 2006, then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan ascended Mount Huangshan. While walking through the Huiming Bridge scenic area in the North Sea (Beihai) region of Mount Huangshan, a Huangshan pine that looked like an umbrella caught Annan's attention. Upon learning that the remaining tens of thousands of pine trees had not yet been named, Annan said, "This pine tree looks especially like an umbrella to me. Could we call it the Umbrella Pine?" The leaders of Huangshan City accompanying Annan happily agreed to name the pine tree according to the Secretary-General's suggestion.

Annan greeting tourists

Annan and his wife

Before leaving the Mount Huangshan scenic area, Annan happily picked up a pen and wrote "Umbrella Pine" in English for Mount Huangshan, and signed his own name.

Umbrella Pine

Anhui's most beautiful scenery is in Mount Huangshan, and Mount Huangshan's most beautiful sight is the Guest-Greeting Pine. The Guest-Greeting Pine of Mount Huangshan is not only the emblem of Anhui tourism, but also a symbol of peace and friendship between the Chinese people and the people of the world. The Guest-Greeting Pine often welcomes national leaders and friends from around the world, and it has become a vehicle for China's international exchanges.

Sea-Probing Pine

The Guest-Greeting Pine of Mount Huangshan grows in rock crevices on Mount Huangshan, where growing conditions are extremely harsh. It stands tall and verdant, elegant and graceful, with remarkably vigorous vitality. According to expert estimates, the Guest-Greeting Pine of Mount Huangshan is at least 1,300 years old. To protect this rare treasure of a pine tree, dedicated pine caretakers have been specially assigned. The Mount Huangshan scenic area has assigned A and B double posts for round-the-clock 24-hour dedicated care of the Guest-Greeting Pine, with post A as the primary and post B as the auxiliary, conducting inspections every two hours.

Umbrella Pine

That is to say, the pine caretakers cannot sleep for two consecutive hours. After each inspection, they must keep a comprehensive record of the Guest-Greeting Pine, including careful observation and recording of every single branch. Besides the Guest-Greeting Pine, 53 other famous ancient pines and trees in Mount Huangshan have been included in the World Natural Heritage List and are provided with dedicated caretakers.

Umbrella Pine

For the pine caretakers, the most difficult times are during holidays and severe weather, when the caretakers must remain on duty 24 hours a day. According to regulations, pine caretakers serve a four-year term, and the role has now passed down to the 20th caretaker. Pine caretakers are generally retired military personnel.

Handwritten inscription

Annan once said: Mount Huangshan, we will come back again! I hope Annan's descendants will certainly come to visit Mount Huangshan.