Ancient Chinese temples have been found by researchers to be places where endangered trees thrive. The researchers, based in Australia and China, published their findings in Current Biology. As of June 4, 2025, this study can be read online. The researchers included 1,420 Taoist temples and 5,125 Buddhist temples in the study. They found 46,966 examples of trees that are over a hundred years old. Sixty-one tree species that are at risk were found. Out of these species, eight are located solely at temple locations.
Chinese Temples and Endangered Trees
ZME Science portrays a lovely scene at the bottom of the Zhongnan Mountains in China. In the described scene, “golden leaves blanket the courtyard of the Gu Guanyin Temple.” The leaves have fallen from an enormous and ancient ginkgo tree. This ginkgo tree could be a thousand years old. ZME Science then explains that a recent study found endangered tree species flourishing in China. These species of trees have been growing at Taoist and Buddhist temples. ZME Science states that “temples across China… have safeguarded tens of thousands of ancient trees.”
A New and Interesting Research Study
The introduced research study explores the relationship between ancient Chinese temples and endangered trees. It was published in Current Biology. This study has been available to online readers since June 4, 2025. The study states: “Buddhism and Taoism… have significant cultural and spiritual associations with specific trees.” There are Taoist and Buddhist temples located all around China. These temples were built over two thousand years. According to the study, temple building was “accompanied by intentional tree cultivation within temple grounds.”
The study focuses on the tree species that have been growing at the temples. The study was conducted by researchers from China and Australia. ZME Science reports: “The researchers documented 46,966 trees over a century old.” The number of temples where these trees are located is 6,545. The study’s methodology involved looking at sets of compiled information. Forest surveys and tree inventories provided useful data. There were 1,420 Taoist temples included in the study. There were 5,125 Buddhist temples included.
About the Endangered Trees
The study states: “There were 5,989 old trees from 61 threatened species… preserved in temples.” Eight species of endangered trees seen in the study only exist in temple settings. One of the endangered trees found is a Carpinus putoensis tree. This Carpinus putoensis tree is the only one known to exist. The tree is estimated to be two hundred years old. It is located in Zhejiang Province. The temple where this tree can be found is Huiji Temple.
A Rich Life states: “The oldest tree identified… was found at Baima Temple.” White Horse Temple is another name by which this temple is known. This temple has been in existence, according to A Rich Life, since “the year 68.” According to ZME Science, “temples emerged as unexpected sanctuaries” for endangered trees. The average age of trees located in temple enclaves is two hundred sixty-one years old. The average age of trees that are not by temples is two hundred years old.
Trees Also Protected in Italy
According to A Rich Life, comparable “spiritual-natural conservation” scenarios exist in Italy. They are located in Central Italy, on mountains and hills. Here, monastery and religious shrine locations have been places of plant sanctuary. There are plant species at these locations that only exist at sites of religious significance.
There is a reason presented by researchers for why these species thrive at these locations. A Rich Life presents the reason as the combination of “conservation… with unique landscape features.” The places of religious devotion where the plants thrive have interesting landscape features. These features include grottos, springs, and cliffs. The notable landscape features may have inspired interest in preserving the natural environment. Efforts to protect the natural features have ensured that the plant life has remained varied.
