Chinese Dove Tree

Chinese Dove Tree

　　 The dove tree is a first-class protected plant in China and one of the world's top ten ornamental trees. It is unique to China and is also known as the "dove tree" because its flowers resemble a flock of white doves perched on the branches when in bloom. Its flowering period generally lasts from early April to June, but due to low temperatures, the blooming period of the dove trees in this reserve has been delayed.

　　The Chinese Dove Tree in Zhangjiajie, scientifically named Davidia involucrata and also called "Kongtong," is an ancient, rare, and precious relic species unique to China. It belongs to the genus Davidia of the family Nyssaceae. It is a deciduous tree with a diameter at breast height of generally 50 centimeters and a height of 15 to 30 meters. Its wood is light yellow, with a uniform structure, lightweight, and soft—making it an excellent material for crafting instruments, musical instruments, and furniture. This rare and precious tree species is very scarce in the world and has drawn the attention of many scholars and experts. They have braved hardships, traveled across oceans to conduct field research in China, introduced saplings, cultivated them successfully, and achieved results. In 1975, the national government designated the dove tree as a first-class protected plant species.