Pine trees in the Pine Garden are Ryukyu Pine from Japan’s Okinawa islands. It is said that in the early years of the Republic of China, the Japanese brought pine cones to Taiwan in the hope of developing its forestry business here. Ryukyu Pine are resistant to salt and wind, and can stabilize sand so the pine cones were planted in the coastal areas of Hengchun and Huanlien City. They adapted excellently and in fact the trees in the Pine Garden are now over a hundred years old.

However, in recent years, these old pine trees have been attacked by diseases, such as pinewood nematode, needle cast and brown root rot, and threatened by harsh climate. In 2003, there were close to 60 pine trees in the garden but in less than a decade, only 32 are left.

When we are sick, we go to the doctor. What about trees? To protect their health and prevent deterioration of existing conditions, a tree doctor regularly comes here to provide professional assessment and determines if they need any treatment. Here’s a reminder not to step on the grass for the sake of these precious old trees. Soil becomes hardened when it is repeatedly stepped upon and does not retain moisture easily, making it difficult for the tree roots to absorb nutrients and water.