Chinese Dove Tree Book

Chinese Dove Tree Book

The Chinese Dove Tree is a national intangible cultural heritage.

　　      The Chinese Dove Tree, scientifically known as Davidia involucrata, also called the "Empty Tongue Tree," is an ancient, rare, and relic tree species unique to China. It belongs to the genus Davidia of the family Nyssaceae and is a deciduous tree. Its trunk diameter is generally about 50 centimeters, and its height ranges from fifteen to thirty meters. The wood is light yellow, with a uniform and lightweight structure, making it an excellent material for crafting instruments, musical instruments, and furniture. “Scarcity adds value.” This precious tree species, the dove tree, is extremely rare in the world and has drawn the attention of many scholars and experts. Undeterred by hardship, they traveled great distances across oceans to conduct on-site investigations in China, introduce saplings, and successfully cultivate them. In 1975, the Chinese government designated the dove tree as a Class I protected tree species. (Zhangjiajie)