Chinese dove tree

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Scientific name: Davidia involucrata, also known as the "ghost tree." It is an ancient, rare, and relic species unique to China, belonging to the family Nyssaceae and the genus Davidia. It is a deciduous tree, typically with a diameter at breast height of 50 centimeters and a height of 15 to 30 meters. Its wood is light yellow, with uniform structure, lightweight and soft, making it an excellent material for crafting instruments, musical instruments, and furniture. “Rare things are precious.” This valuable tree species, the dove tree, is extremely rare in the world, drawing the attention of many experts and scholars. Undaunted by hardships, they traveled across oceans to conduct on-site investigations in China, introduced seedlings, and successfully cultivated them. In 1975, the national government designated the dove tree as a Class I protected plant species. (Zhangjiajie)