The State Forestry and Grassland Administration recently announced the fourth batch of national forestry germplasm resource banks, with the Chinese guger tree resource bank — established in Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province — making the list.

This recognition marks a significant achievement for Longquan in biodiversity conservation, as it is one of only two sites in Zhejiang to receive this honor.

The Chinese guger tree, also known as Schima superba, is an evergreen tree that belongs to the Theaceae family and is of significant value. Its straight trunk and dense wood make it a prized material, while its fire-resistant foliage makes it ideal for environmental protection and restoration efforts. The tree's aesthetic appeal also makes it popular for landscaping.

Chinese guger trees enter their blooming period. [Photo/Tide News]

Since 2001, the Longquan Forestry Science Research Institute has focused on collecting and preserving Chinese guger tree breeding resources. Over the past two decades, it has amassed 790 clonal samples and selected nearly 200 second-generation breeding parents, creating a robust and diverse breeding population.

The institute has also established over 1.33 square kilometers of first-generation clonal seed orchards across several provinces, producing 2,500 kilograms of high-quality seeds and approximately 50 million saplings.

"Our Chinese guger tree resource bank plays a crucial role in supporting long-term breeding and innovation," said Ji Jingyong, deputy director of the institute.