National Scots Pine Seed Orchard Base

National Scots Pine Seed Orchard Base

The Jinshan Forest Farm was established in 1959 and is located on the eastern side of the main ridge of the Greater Khingan Mountains, on the northeastern slope of the Yilehuli Mountain Range, downstream of the Huma River, and on the right bank of the Heilongjiang River. It stretches 42 kilometers from east to west and 26 kilometers from north to south. The forest management area borders the Heilongjiang River to the east and adjoins the Hanjiayuan Forest Bureau to the north, south, and west, covering a total area of 57,376 hectares. It has 90 households with a population of 255, and 104 employees who are responsible for important duties such as forest fire prevention and ecological conservation. Especially during the reform and opening-up period and the construction of new forest areas, rapid development has been achieved in all aspects. Projects such as the cultural fitness square, road hardening, tap water renovation, and “coal-for-wood” initiatives have been completed successively. The production and living conditions of employees have undergone tremendous changes, and outstanding achievements have been made in civilization building. Last year, it was named a National Green Well-off Village.

The forest management area has 1,862 hectares of Scots pine seed orchard. It is one of the earliest designated natural Scots pine seed orchard bases in the province. It is distributed across 30 forest compartments and 54 sub-compartments, with an average age of 41 years, an average canopy closure of 0.6, and an average site class of Grade II. As a valuable tree species, the Jinshan Forest Farm began seed harvesting in the Scots pine forest as early as 1957. In 1989, it was listed as a joint department-province natural Scots pine seed orchard base, yielding over 500 kilograms of seeds annually. To date, it has provided the country with 55,000 kilograms of high-quality seeds. In 1990, the base was further designated as a national-level Scots pine seed orchard by the Ministry of Forestry and the Forestry Department of Heilongjiang Province. Jinshan Forest Park is located within the Jinshan Forest Farm, northwest of Huma County, covering more than 200,000 mu of natural Scots pine seed orchard that remains evergreen all year round, bringing a touch of green to the long northern winters. This is the most distinctive belt of cold-temperate coniferous tree species. Each tree and row stands proudly—not boastful of its resilience to danger, but embodying simplicity and honesty, standing firmly against the true trials of severe cold and heavy snow. The convincing willpower of these green pines shocks the soul and conquers all with its unyielding and profound majesty—here, mountains compete in beauty, ancient trees reach for the sky, and rare birds and animals inhabit and breed, displaying the charm of pristine forests. Across the endless mountain ranges grow evergreen Scots pines, robust Dahurian larches, graceful birches, towering mountain poplars, Siberian firs, along with black birch, oak, mountain elm, and sand willow, among over a hundred species. Visitors can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery of green mountains, clear waters, and pristine forests here, but also observe the various behaviors of wild animals and plants, immersing themselves in the embrace of nature. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and you’ll feel as if you’re in a fairyland.

Scots pine trunks are straight, with beautiful crowns, and are evergreen. The seed orchard has abundant understory resources, with the forest habitat including 54 species of nationally protected animals such as hazel grouse, moose, bears, and snow rabbits, which are classified under the first and second protection levels. The mountains are dotted with over 100 species of wild economic plants like lingonberries (northern red beans), cranberries, hazelnuts, bird cherries, mountain ashes, as well as various precious medicinal herbs.

The seed orchard base is just 8 kilometers from the banks of the Heilongjiang River, where many fish species live, providing opportunities for leisure fishing. Traveling upstream along the Heilongjiang River, you’ll find the picturesque Huashan Tourist Scenic Area, which resembles a heavenly paradise. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery on both banks of the Heilongjiang River and experience the exotic charm of Russia.

Especially in the Camel Belly Neck Primitive Forest Area, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, the Chona River flows through the forest management area before joining the Huma River, which then flows into the Heilongjiang River. In spring, the mountains are covered with red azaleas, bringing vitality to every hill and valley. In summer, walking through the mountains, the lush forests exude fragrance, making this emerald-green woodland an ideal destination for summer retreats and enjoying the polar night scenery. In autumn, the forests are painted in layers of color, and looking into the distance, the sky is high and clouds are light. The beautiful scenery is accompanied by the joy of harvest, and winter in Jinshan becomes even more poetic—with vast forests draped in silver, the evergreen Scots pines set against the sparkling snowy world, giving you a profound sense of the greatness of nature. Here, the air is fresh, and the environment is serene, making it the best choice for urban dwellers to explore, return to simplicity, and reconnect with nature.

Source: Huma County Party Committee and County Government