Blue Pine of Lantian

Blue Pine of Lantian

The Blue Pine of Lantian is a protected geographical indication product.

　　The one-year-old branches of the Blue Pine of Lantian are grayish-green, hairless, with reddish-brown winter buds and no resin. The cones are usually solitary, ovoid, measuring 5–7 cm in length, turning pale yellowish-brown when mature. The seeds are obovate, about 1 cm long. The flowering period is April, and the cones ripen in October. The wood is rather brittle and prone to breakage; the heartwood is yellowish-brown, and the sapwood is pale yellow. It can be used for construction, furniture, and more; the seeds are edible or can be pressed for oil; the cones are used in medicine.

　　The Blue Pine of Lantian enjoys a high reputation in the landscaping industry both worldwide and in China.

　　First: Represents the Chinese nation in spreading international friendship

　　The Blue Pine known as the “China-North Korea Friendship Tree” was planted by North Korean President Kim Il-sung and others on April 20, 1975, at the Hongxing Commune (government) in Daxing County, Beijing.

　　The tree known as the “China-Japan Friendship Tree” refers to two Blue Pines planted by 1 and two former Japanese Prime Ministers, Yasuhiro Nakasone and Toshiki Kaifu, in the courtyard of the China-Japan Youth Exchange Center at the 21st Century Hotel in Beijing.

　　The Blue Pine from Lantian, China, has traversed oceans and taken root in London (UK), Nara (Japan), and Washington (USA); however, the one in London, which is nearly a hundred years old, still hasn’t turned white.

　　Second: Admired by emperors, generals, literati, and refined scholars

　　Wang Wei, the Right Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty and a great poet, after retiring to seclusion in Lantian, left behind the timeless masterpiece “Autumn Evening in the Mountains”: “After fresh rain in empty mountains, autumn air comes late; / The bright moon shines among pines, / Clear spring flows over stones.” These lines refer to this very Blue Pine. The Blue Pines in the Wenguo Temple, where the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen became a monk, still exude their fragrance. The famous Ming Dynasty poet Zhang Zhu wrote in his poem “Ode to the White Pine”: “Leaves fall like fine silver tassels, / Petals drift like fragrant powder; / Amid the temple gate’s misty rain, / They resemble jade dragons.” These verses further capture the charm of the Blue Pine, making it a true spectacle among trees and a treasure in gardens. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty bestowed the title “General in White Robes” upon the Blue Pine, granting it royal privileges. The residence of General Zhang Xueliang’s father, Zhang Zuolin, also once had Blue Pines planted within.

　　Third: Favored by national leaders

　　Fourth: The Blue Pine bears witness to the camaraderie between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party

　　In 2005, 1 led a delegation to visit the mainland, where the leaders of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party met. During the meeting, 1 planted a Blue Pine at the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Beijing’s Biyun Temple.

　　Fifth: The cultural spirit of the Blue Pine

　　The cultural significance of the Blue Pine of Lantian is profound and renowned both domestically and internationally. Not only does it have a graceful, elegant, and classic form, but it also possesses a captivating posture that embodies both form and spirit. The bark of the Blue Pine of Lantian resembles a python, exuding nobility and dignity; its branches are like long spears, straight and upright; its leaves resemble precious swords, embodying uprightness and valor; its flowers are like snow fluff, delicate and reserved; its fruits are like pearls, radiating brilliance; its trunk is like a divine dragon, commanding reverence; its shape resembles a tower bell, elegant and majestic; its presence is like a peacock, serene and inwardly graceful; its spirit is like that of a crane, tranquil and indifferent; its essence is like Zen, ethereal and soaring. It embodies an otherworldly charm and truly reflects the spirit of Chinese culture, making it a rare and unique tree species belonging to the Chinese nation.

　　Sixth: Adds the finishing touch to landmark architecture

　　Blue Pines have been planted in iconic locations such as Tiananmen Square, Zhongnanhai, the Summer Palace, and the Old Summer Palace in Beijing; the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong; the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Tiger Hill in Suzhou; the Shenyang Imperial Palace; the Terracotta Army and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square in Xi’an; as well as the Tang Paradise in Xi’an.

　　Seventh: Acclaimed as an environmental guardian

　　1. The Blue Pine has the strongest ability among plants to absorb sulfur dioxide and ozone from the air. It is also highly effective at absorbing fluorine, as well as filtering smoke and dust. Its air-purifying capabilities are exceptional.

　　2. It exhibits extremely strong drought resistance. Whether in urban landscape greening or projects aimed at restoring scenic mountains and forests or converting farmland back to forest, water conservation has become an indispensable responsibility. The drought resistance of the Blue Pine aligns perfectly with these societal needs.

　　Across China, from the Great Wall to the rivers and beyond, and from north to south, the graceful presence of the Blue Pine of Lantian can be seen. It is distributed throughout provinces, municipalities, and regions including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia.

　　 The current administrative region of Lantian County, Shaanxi Province

　　 “Request from the People’s Government of Lantian County Regarding the Application for Delineation of the Geographical Indication Product Protection Scope of the Blue Pine of Lantian,” Lanzheng Letter [2013] No. 62

　　 Xi’an Lantian County Local Standard: DB610122/T02-2013 “Cultivation Technical Regulations for the Blue Pine of Lantian”