A cold front turns leaves red — Taitung’s bald cypress trees are at their most beautiful

The bald cypress trees opposite the Chulu Gas Station are ablaze in red, attracting many visitors to take photos. (Photo by Huang Limian)

Several consecutive days of low temperatures have turned the few bald cypress trees in Taitung from green to red. The strikingly red trees exude a foreign charm, drawing many people to take commemorative photos. There aren’t many bald cypress trees in Taitung — they can only be admired in spots such as the farmland opposite the Chulu Gas Station in Pilu Township or within the Pilu Ranch.

Recently, the farmland opposite the Chulu Gas Station has been packed with vehicles full of people coming to admire the bald cypress trees. Crowds bustle back and forth, weaving among the trees to take photos. The scenes resemble those abroad, which has attracted many visitors. Vehicles line up in long queues on-site, making for a lively atmosphere.

Originally entirely green, the bald cypress trees gradually turned red before New Year’s Eve. The recent cold temperatures have intensified their red hues. Around 30 bald cypress trees form a small forest on the farmland, and strolling among them feels like being in Europe, brimming with exotic charm.

Liao Zhongsheng, a representative of Pilu Township residents, said that according to what he’s learned, the landowners allow the public to take photos, since the farmland is open space and thus freely accessible. The recent low temperatures have rapidly turned the bald cypress trees red, and there are also noticeably more visitors lingering to take photos compared to last year.

Near the ecological pond at Pilu Ranch, eight bald cypress trees have also been planted. Prompted by the cold wave, they’ve turned from green to red. These bald cypress trees, which have been planted for over 10 years, create a stunning view when paired with the ecological pond, making it a hidden gem of Pilu Ranch.

The ranch stated that the red foliage of the bald cypress trees lasts a long time, making it the perfect time to appreciate them. By the end of the month, the Fuji cherry blossoms on the ranch will also bloom. The combination of bald cypress trees and cherry blossoms creates an even more exotic scene. During the Spring Festival, more cherry blossoms are expected to bloom, allowing visitors to the ranch to enjoy the flowers.