Huangshan Guest-Welcome Pine undergoes the greatest life-and-death test: protected by 28 support poles

The "Welcome Pine" is the symbol of Huangshan Scenic Area, and it is also the treasure of Anhui people. Because of its special location, it faces the test of wind, rain and snow all year round, and there have always been dedicated personnel working on it. guard. Recently, the Huangshan Scenic Area has continued to encounter rain and snow, and the welcoming pine has also suffered the biggest test of life and death.

Videos taken by tourists show that multiple support poles have been erected under the branches of the welcoming pine covered with thick snow, and the number has been increasing. Initially, there were 8 poles. Later, it was increased to 18, and finally reached 28.

In this regard, the staff of the scenic spot said that every winter when it snows, the garden department of the scenic spot will perform special maintenance on the welcoming pine to prevent the snow from breaking the branches.

In addition, the scenic spot will conduct comprehensive physical examinations and comprehensive protection projects on the welcoming pine from time to time. Special maintenance includes reinforcement of support rods and clearing ditches for drainage, because long-term water accumulation will cause tree roots to rot.

The Welcome Pine grows in the Yuping Scenic Area of ??Huangshan Mountain at an altitude of 1,680 meters. The tree height is 10.08 meters, the tree circumference is 2.24 meters, and the arm branches (one branch down) are 9.42 meters long. It is already standing. For thousands of years, it has enjoyed the reputation of "national treasure".

Because it grows on the top of the peak all year round, the geographical environment of the welcoming pine is very harsh. Historically, extreme weather such as the blizzard in 1984, the heavy ice and snow in 2008, and the heavy freezing rain in 2009 and 2018 have all brought severe consequences to it. Survival has brought great challenges, but thanks to its tenacious vitality and the meticulous care of the scenic spot, it has survived every time.

After thousands of years, the welcoming pine is inevitably aging, and it is necessary to prevent pests and diseases, as well as skin gnawing by animals such as squirrels and macaque monkeys.