Chinese man, 96, who built home around an ancient tree fears for its future
Property owner says 300-year-old Chinese pagoda tree could be at risk under redevelopment plans
A 96-year-old man in northern China who built his home around an ancient tree more than 30 years ago fears his property might be demolished under a redevelopment programme, local media reported.
Jia Fulian, from Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, said that after hearing about the local government’s plans to modernise some residential communities he became concerned that his beloved Chinese pagoda tree might be facing the axe, ChinaNews.com reported on Wednesday.
He said he had calculated that the tree was probably planted about 300 years ago during the late Ming or early Qing dynasties.
“I love this tree and am very happy living here,” he said. “In my free time, I like to water it, clean the branches and watch over it. I take extra care of it before people come over to visit.”