The results of the vote to “Find the most famous trees of Yushan” were released on April 29rd. Apart from the well-known Husband and Wife Tree, Great Hemlock Spruce and the Welcoming Pine, the remaining seven were nominated by the public.

The national park HQ said that the selection process took into account the appearance of the tree, as well as other factors, such as its status as a local landmark, historical significance and creativity of its name. Most of the trees chosen were single-seed juniper (Juniperus squamata), Taiwan hemlock (Tsuga chinensis) or cypress.

In addition to allowing the public to nominate the most famous trees of Yushan, Yushan National Park Director Chen Long-sheng led HQ staff members up Yushan’s main peak trail in the search for trees suitable to be named one of the “famous trees of Taiwan. The “Water Chinese juniper,” “Yushan Popeye” and “Avatar,” three trees that made the final list of famous trees, were put forwards a result of this search.

“Water Chinese juniper” is on a scree slope 7.3 km along the trail from Tatajia to Paiyun Cabin. It is only three meters tall but is very beautiful, its soft contours seemingly shaped by flowing water, which is why it was called “Water Chinese juniper.” “Yushan Popeye” is located on the main peak trail 5.5k from the trailhead. The branches resemble the thick muscular arms of Popeye the sailor. Many a tired climber has been invigorated by the sight of this tree with its thick forked branches that look like Popeye’s bulging biceps after he’s just eaten a can of spinach. As for “Avatar, it is a tree that is a really unusual shape, resembling a species created by the mixing of the genes of the Na'vi" of Pandora in the film Avatar and human genes.

The park HQ hopes that this activity will encourage people to care more about the environment around them and learn to appreciate the importance of natural resources.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Yushan National Park Headquarters