Hainan King of Yellow Sandalwood Falls in Typhoon, Estimated ValueReaches 2.6 Million Yuan
Haikou, Hainan Province, China – A rare and valuable Hainan yellow sandalwood tree, nicknamed the Hainan King, has fallen victim to Typhoon Capricorn, leaving a significantloss to the local community and raising concerns about the protection of such precious trees.
The incident occurred on September 7th, when the powerful typhoon sweptthrough Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province. The tree, located near the Agricultural Reclamation East Grand Courtyard on Haikou’s Haiken Road, was uprooted by the strong winds, its massive trunk and branches crashing onto a parkedwhite van.
The fallen sandalwood tree, a Dalbergia odorifera (also known as Yellow Sandalwood), was identified as a national ancient and famous tree by the Haikou Municipal Government in March 2019. The tree, aged 60 years, was listed as a national second-level protected plant and was known for its impressive size and lush foliage.
Photos and videos of the fallen tree quickly spread on social media, garnering thousands of likes and shares. The incident sparked discussions among locals and online users aboutthe value of the tree and the importance of protecting such natural treasures.
Hong Lin, a renowned collector of yellow sandalwood in Hainan, was among those who visited the site. He estimated the value of the fallen tree to be around 2.6 million yuan (approximately $360,000 USD), based on its girth of 170 centimeters and the price of a similar tree that was auctioned for 2.64 million yuan in the past.
This yellow sandalwood was planted together with the one that died previously. The previous one was auctioned for 2.64 million yuan.This one has a circumference of 170 centimeters. Although we don’t know the internal condition of the tree, based on experience, we estimate its market value to be around 2.6 million yuan, Hong Lin said.
He emphasized that while the economic value of the tree is significant, its culturaland historical importance should not be overlooked. As one of Hainan’s treasured trees, we should not focus too much on its market value. We should be more proactive in protecting and appreciating such ancient trees, he added.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of ancient trees to extreme weather events and raises concerns about theimpact of climate change on the preservation of such valuable natural resources. It also underscores the need for increased awareness and efforts to protect and conserve these precious trees for future generations.
The local government and forestry authorities are currently assessing the situation and exploring options for preserving the fallen tree, potentially using its wood for research or displaypurposes.
The loss of the Hainan King serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving our natural heritage. As the world faces increasing threats from climate change, the need to safeguard such valuable trees becomes even more critical.
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