Where is the most beautiful ginkgo tree in China?

The ginkgo leaves are turning yellow, and autumn is in full swing.

In China, ginkgo is the undisputed centerpiece of the charming autumn scenery!

Under the warm sun, the autumn wind blows gently, and the little fan that has remained unchanged for millions of years is either waving on the branches or hugging the soil. From south to north, it is painted all over the city and the wilderness. Unlike other autumn-colored leaf plants with colorful colors, ginkgo only uses one golden color to render autumn to the extreme.

It is late autumn and the whole city is covered with "golden armor". Let's go with us to explore the past and present life of ginkgo.

01

Why are “endangered” ginkgo trees everywhere?

Botanically, Ginkgo belongs to the Ginkgo class, Ginkgoales, Ginkgoaceae, and Ginkgo genus . A plant whose name can be directly used from the class to the species is naturally not an ordinary one. As early as in 1998, the IUCN Red List listed Ginkgo as endangered (EN). How can a species that can be found everywhere on the street be called a rare and endangered species? This has to start with the rough life of Ginkgo.

Ginkgo biloba has remained unchanged for billions of years. Image source: Pexels

The Lone Star

About 300 million years ago, ginkgo plants were distributed almost all over the world. In the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic Era 170 million years ago, dinosaurs dominated the world and ginkgo plants also reached their peak . As time passed, the earth became dry and cold in the late Cretaceous period, and the more adaptable angiosperms rose rapidly, while the ginkgo family gradually declined.

In the golden autumn season, the leaves of the thousand-year-old ginkgo trees in Shaolin Temple turn yellow. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

2.58 million years ago, the Quaternary glacial movement swept across Europe and America, causing dramatic climate changes and land and sea changes, and Ginkgo plants became extinct in most parts of the world . However, the geographical environment in North China, East China, and Central China is special, and is less affected by glacial erosion. The Ginkgo trees that took refuge there survived, becoming a "living fossil" like the giant panda.

The crisis remains

Today, after artificial introduction and cultivation, ginkgo has already spread to all continents around the world, and greens the streets. However, even so, only in places like Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang Province in China, a small number of ginkgoes remain in the wild , which can be described as "one seedling in a thousand hectares of land." This is also the key factor that determines the "endangered" status of ginkgo.

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In 2019, researchers from Zhejiang University, the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the BGI Genomics Institute found in field monitoring that there had been no naturally regenerated saplings or surviving seedlings over three years old around many wild ginkgo trees for nearly 10 years , and most wild ginkgo populations were not in nature reserves. Therefore, even if ginkgo does not fall into the vortex of extinction, it still needs precise protection.

Millennium Birthday

"Father plants and grandchildren eat." Ginkgo is known as the "father-in-law tree" and is a typical representative of "late marriage and late childbearing." According to research, it takes 20 to 30 years for ginkgo to grow and bear fruit. Once it survives, the ginkgo tree can grow vigorously for thousands of years and is quite long-lived. In addition, ginkgo has few diseases and pests, and a high seed germination rate. Even under the oppression of low temperature and drought, it can still stand tall and is very tenacious. In addition, the trunk is upright and the tree shape is beautiful, which is definitely a good choice for street trees.

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02

Where in China are the most beautiful ginkgo trees?

“ Duck feet grow in the south of the Yangtze River, and the name and reality have not yet become consistent .” The ingenious people of the Northern Song Dynasty used the shape of the tree to give ginkgo a name that is both appropriate and vulgar, “duck feet”. However, these “feet” are not limited to the south of the Yangtze River, but have spread all over the motherland.

Lin'an, the hometown of "duck feet"

Almost all the ginkgo trees in the world come from Tianmu Mountain in Lin'an, Zhejiang .

Tianmu Mountain, known as "the big tree that is famous throughout the country", has ancient geology, unique landforms and complex topography. During the glacial period, it became a "refuge" for many animals and plants, and ginkgo is one of them.

Five generations living together in Tianmu Mountain. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

In front of the Kaishan Old Temple at an altitude of 1,000 meters, there is a world-famous 12,000-year-old ginkgo tree that has survived many vicissitudes of life and is still as tall as a canopy, and is full of fruits. Because it has 22 old, strong, young, young, and young trees, it enjoys the reputation of "five generations living under one roof". A single tree forms a forest, and the leaves are rich in color, which is spectacular.

Beijing and Xi'an, the splendor of ancient capitals

As autumn arrives, Beijing becomes Beiping and Xi'an becomes Chang'an. Ginkgo trees are naturally indispensable to add color to this literary and artistic scene.

In Beijing , starting from mid-October, ginkgo trees seize the fleeting autumn time, shed their dull green and bloom wantonly. Yu Dafu lamented in "Autumn in the Old Capital", "Every autumn in the south, I always think of the reed flowers of Taoranting, the willow shadows of Diaoyutai, the insects singing in the West Hills, the moonlight at Yuquan, and the bells of Tanzhe Temple." Ginkgo trees are scattered in these old places in Beijing. I wonder if the writer would have a touch of golden shadows in his mind when he missed the old capital.

Ginkgo trees in the Forbidden City. Copyrighted images from the photo library, unauthorized reproduction

In Xi'an, the ancient Guanyin Temple in Luohandong Village is not as famous as the Da Ci'en Temple, Daxingshan Temple and other ancient temples in Xi'an. But every autumn, a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in the temple will occupy the headlines of hot searches, attracting a large number of "photographers". It is said that the tree was planted by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and its "royal style" is natural. This ginkgo tree represents the entire city by itself.

Ancient Guanyin Temple. Copyrighted image, unauthorized reproduction

Nanxiong and Tengchong, the charm of the South

Jiangdong Ginkgo Village in Gudong Town, Tengchong, Yunnan is probably the most popular online celebrity check-in spot in recent years. More than 30,000 ginkgo trees have set up camp here, with the village in the forest and the forest in the village. After autumn, the criss-crossing alleys are all golden wherever you look.

Ginkgo Village. Copyrighted image, unauthorized reproduction

Nanxiong, Guangdong, is the natural ginkgo growing area with the lowest latitude in China . In Pingtian Town, the main production area, straight ginkgo trees can be seen everywhere. The yellow ginkgo trees are like clusters of golden flames, burning from the real world to the dreams of Nanxiong people. For Nanxiong people, when they are away from home, the ginkgo trees in their hometown may be their biggest thought.

Chengdu, Huzhou, Dandong, Linyi, the cultivation of city trees

As soon as autumn arrives in China, a series of ginkgo "visual feasts" are presented to the world. Regardless of coastal or inland areas, Chinese people really love ginkgo deeply. Chengdu, Huzhou, Dandong, and Linyi have all chosen ginkgo as their city tree . For ginkgo, this honor comes at a great time.

The ginkgo trees in Chengdu are as free as the city itself. From the suburbs to the inner city, you can find ginkgo trees everywhere. They may not be that tall, nor do they have that many stories. They just grow sporadically on campuses, along the streets, or beside ancient trees, quietly embellishing the streets and alleys. The "Chengdu-flavored" ginkgo trees have a bookish and worldly feel.

Ginkgo biloba in Wenshu Monastery, Chengdu, Sichuan. Copyrighted image, unauthorized reproduction

Changxing County, Huzhou City, has 5,924 ancient ginkgo trees over 100 years old, the largest number in China. Among them, there are 2,370 in Badujie (ka, pronounced the same as "ka"), Xiaopu Town. These tall ginkgo trees are lined up in the green mountains, forming a spectacular "Ten-mile Ancient Ginkgo Corridor". In late autumn, the highly saturated golden color does not give people an overflowing discomfort, but instead reveals a rich texture like an oil painting.

Fangyi Village, Badu Village, Shili Ancient Ginkgo Corridor Scenic Area, Xiaopu Town, Changxing County. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

There is a thousand-year-old temple called Xianding Temple on Qixian Mountain, 33 kilometers away from Changxing . Accompanied by yellow walls and black tiles, a 1,500-year-old ginkgo tree stands proudly in the wind and frost, isolated from the world, listening to the morning bells and evening drums, and bathing in the breeze.

Ginkgo trees in front of Xianding Temple. Copyrighted images from the photo library, unauthorized reproduction

Dandong, known as " seven mountains, one water, half fields, and half roads and manors ", has a forest coverage rate of 65.32%, like a natural green umbrella supporting the Liaodong Peninsula. As the city tree of Dandong, ginkgo has long been deeply integrated into the veins of this city. After all, there are 40 ginkgo avenues and more than 700 ginkgo trees over 100 years old.

Ginkgo Avenue, Dandong City. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

There are only six streets in Asian cities with century-old ginkgo trees, and Dandong has half of them. Jiuwei Road, Qijing Street, and Liuwei Road are decorated with ginkgo trees into "Golden Avenue" , which has long become Dandong's business card. Now that autumn is in full swing, thick leaves cover the roads, the whole city is golden, and there is endless romance.

Ginkgo Avenue, Jiuwei Road, Dandong City. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

In Linyi, Shandong, there is the largest existing ancient ginkgo forest in my country. The so-called cluster means that many small trees grow around the big trees. According to legend, this unique ginkgo forest was cut down during the Anti-Japanese War, leaving only the roots. Later, the ginkgo trees sprouted again. Linyi people appreciated the endless growth of this ginkgo forest and named it: Shengsheng Garden.

Wang Xizhi's former residence. Copyright image, no permission to reprint

When asked where the most beautiful ginkgo trees are in autumn, a thousand people may have a thousand answers. Perhaps, in most people's minds, the most fascinating ginkgo beauty is close at hand: at the doorstep.

03

Ginkgo, why does it smell bad but taste good?

Ginkgo is a gymnosperm . The "ginkgo nuts" we eat are not actually ginkgo fruits, but seeds.

Put on gloves, cover your nose, and pick up a fresh, ripe ginkgo nut from under the tree. The outermost yellow and soft part is the exocarp of the ginkgo seed. After peeling it off, the white and hard "fruit shell" we often see is revealed, which is actually the mesonephrodisiac of the seed; after opening the "fruit shell", there is a very thin layer of red endocarp inside, which is wrapped around the seed kernel (gingko nut) .

Ginkgo seeds. Copyrighted image, unauthorized reproduction

Mature ginkgo has a strong smell. If you don't smell it, it's fine. But once you smell it, it's amazing and unforgettable. This odor that goes straight to your head comes from the volatile low-level fatty acids in the outer seed coat of the ginkgo .

“Dark gray and light fire meet slightly, and the slightly bitter and slightly sweet taste is the best. The chicken head does not necessarily look like duck feet, the ginkgo may be a golden peach.” Stewing over charcoal fire may be a popular way to eat dried fruit snacks .

In addition to dried fruits, ginkgo nuts are often used as a side dish in dishes. Whether it is roast chicken or roast duck, put ginkgo nuts into the pot and cook after the main ingredients are basically cooked. The fragrance of ginkgo nuts can dissolve the greasiness of the meat, and the ginkgo nuts absorbed by the delicious soup are fragrant and delicious. The two complement each other and increase appetite.

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In addition, ginkgo is also an important dessert ingredient . The traditional New Year's Eve dinner of Chaoshan people will carefully select ginkgo as dessert, which means longevity, and the inheritance of descendants, and sweetness from generation to generation. A dish of lamb stewed with ginkgo is particularly labor-intensive and time-consuming.

The combination of lard, sugar and ginkgo nuts sounds quite sweet, but it is rich and mellow and makes people unable to stop.

In autumn and winter, when the weather is cold, throwing a few ginkgo nuts into the gurgling pot will add flavor and color. Holding the steaming bowl of soup and taking a sip will be enough to warm you from the tip of your tongue to your heart.

If you want to know what kind of soups can be made with ginkgo nuts, which can be either salty or sweet, we can start with the classic ginkgo and wolfberry soup, as well as the tremella, ginkgo, and red date soup, tremella, ginkgo, and lily soup, barley and ginkgo soup, ginkgo and pork tripe soup ... I can probably talk about this for days and nights.

Author: SevenJ

Source: China National Geographic BOOK

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