The Tang Dynasty Locust Tree at Wangkou

The Tang Dynasty Locust Tree at Wangkou

The Tang Dynasty Locust Tree at Wangkou is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaocheng City.

The Tang Dynasty Locust Tree at Wangkou is located south of Wangkou Bridge on East Chang Road, Dongchang District, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, known as the "Water City North of the Yangtze." It stands on the west bank of the Grand Canal. The tree trunk is hollow, reaching a total height of 18 meters with a girth of 4.2 meters. Its canopy spreads wide like a giant umbrella, towering and shading the ground. Although there is no written record of its exact planting date, local elders have passed down stories through generations calling it a Tang Dynasty locust tree, and it’s believed that its age could well be a thousand years. Originally, there was a temple in front of the locust tree. After Liaocheng renovated the ancient canal in the late 20th century, the area became a leisure plaza. Despite being struck by lightning and catching fire multiple times, the ancient locust tree has survived tenaciously and still flourishes with lush leaves and fragrant blossoms every spring and summer.

Today, this ancient locust tree is bound by three iron hoops, and its aged branches stretch toward the sky. Peering through the gaps in the main trunk, one can see an internal hollow over one meter wide. The outer part of the trunk, though seemingly dead, is still capable of sprouting dense foliage, providing shade over an area of nearly an acre in summer—a marvel to behold. The area around the ancient tree is enclosed by white marble railings, and to the south of the tree stands a stone tablet inscribed with “Layered Shade of the Locust Tree,” complementing the rare ancient tree beautifully. This ancient locust tree was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of Liaocheng City in March 2001.