Millennium-old Elm

Millennium-old Elm

The trunk of this millennium-old elm stands nearly 16 meters tall with a crown diameter of 23 meters. Known locally as the "Sacred Tree," it is the oldest and largest elm in the Mudanjiang River basin and can be considered a living fossil among trees.

Locals call it the "Sacred Tree" because they believe it possesses spiritual power and can ward off misfortune for the poor. According to folklore, sick children who recognize the "Sacred Tree" as their mother often recover without treatment, hence the tree is said to have countless descendants. An interview with Grandma Jiang from Jiangxi Village revealed that her grandmother mentioned the tree was already this tall when she was a child. Some local parents, worried about their children’s health, ask them to recognize the tree as their godmother, hoping they will grow up healthy and live long lives, just like the thousand-year-old elm. Especially for children believed to lack the element of wood in their fate, their mothers often bring them to tie red ribbons to the tree, offer sacrifices, and bow to recognize it as their godmother, easing the worries of the elders. Thanks to the lush mountains, beautiful waters, pleasant climate, favorable weather, and abundant resources in Lianhua, frail and frequently ill children gradually become healthier. In the past, people attributed this to the spiritual power of the Sacred Tree, and over time, it became widely known as such. It has stood here for hundreds of years, enduring numerous floods and droughts while remaining vibrant and majestic.

Since January 10, 2011, when the Linkou County Party Committee and County Government successfully hosted the first China•Linkou Rime Festival, the site has attracted photography enthusiasts from across the country, and this millennium-old elm has become the "Sacred Tree" in their lenses.