The most beneficial spring season. Walking on the streets and alleys of Macau, green trees and flowers occasionally leap into view, eagerly reporting the news of spring. Although Macau has a small geographical area, there are many ancient trees. For over 400 years since its opening, ancient trees have remained silent, stretching their branches and leaves in every corner of this' giant museum ', providing people with shade and witnessing the changes of time here. I have been working in the municipal government for 16 years and have been dealing with various trees, which is a great fate Li Yanzhen, a technician at the Natural Conservation Research Department of the Macau SAR Government's Municipal Affairs Department, graduated from the field of plant pathology. She previously worked in the Tree Group and joined the Ancient Tree Group in 2021, responsible for on-site inspection, management, and conservation of ancient and famous trees. In Macau, ancient and famous trees refer to trees that are over a hundred years old, have precious tree species, unique tree shapes, are rare or have special historical or cultural significance, and are listed in the "List of Ancient and Famous Trees Protection". According to statistics from the Municipal Bureau, there are 654 ancient and famous trees in Macau, with the highest number of false Bodhi trees, mainly distributed in the old urban areas of the Macau Peninsula and outlying islands. The oldest ancient tree is located inside the Guanyin Ancient Temple, where a Hainan peach tree has a history of 514 years. Not far from the bustling Da Sanba memorial archway, there is a park called White Dove Nest, which was built in the 1870s. It is one of the parks with the longest history in Macao. At present, there are many ancient trees, such as fake banyan trees, Hainan putao trees, and Phoenix trees. The trees in the park are towering and lush. Ascending the stairs, one can occasionally pass by ancient trees with "ID cards" attached. If you scan the QR code on it with your phone, you can link to the exclusive ancient and famous tree website to comprehensively understand the tree species, age, health status, and morphological characteristics of this tree. Li Yanzhen told reporters that in history, foreign businesses have been very interested in the local flora of Macau. They will send the plant seeds and specimens collected here to Europe and other places, and also introduce the plants to Macau. Species from the East and the West transit and intersect here, and then spread outward. Trees have a long life cycle and have become an important part of historical and cultural heritage, accompanying regional development and changes. At present, the Municipal Government inspects healthy ancient trees at least twice a year, and trees with average health conditions at least once a quarter. In addition to the basic monthly inspection, the inspection density for endangered ancient trees will be increased depending on the situation. We will make a preliminary assessment of the condition of ancient trees by visually inspecting the appearance of the crown, trunk, and roots. If a deeper understanding is needed, use a fault detector to inspect the main trunk of the tree for comprehensive analysis Li Yanzhen said. Chen Kaihao, the coordinator of the Natural Conservation Research Office of the Municipal Affairs Department of the Macau SAR Government, introduced that they have been continuously cooperating with mainland research institutions for many years, regularly inviting experts to provide technical assistance and course training in the conservation, risk assessment, pest control, and other aspects of ancient and famous trees in Macau. Natural factors, human factors, and harmful organisms can all pose a threat to ancient trees. In Li Yanzhen's view, the current difficulty in conservation work lies in the changes in the site environment of ancient trees caused by urban development. Many ancient trees grow on narrow roadsides, and buildings, vehicles, pipelines, etc. may affect the development of tree roots. Their immunity deteriorates, making them susceptible to diseases and pests Li Yanzhen said that protection should be balanced with urban development. "Often, we are like 'coordinators', fighting for a little more space for ancient trees when conflicts arise. Every March, Macau holds Green Week, which calls on citizens to cherish the natural environment through ecological tours, forest care, plant delivery and other experiential activities. The 44th Macau Greening Week will be held from the 15th to the 23rd, and this year's event will continue with the "Our Ancient Trees" booth, which will educate citizens and tourists about the main pests and diseases of ancient trees and related inspection equipment. The Municipal Government stated that in the future, it will further enhance citizens' awareness of the importance of ancient and famous trees through community activities, school courses, lectures, and other forms, and promote a sense of shared responsibility among citizens; At the same time, we are considering creating specialized tourist routes to attract visitors and make the history and culture of Macau's ancient trees known to more people. Trees, flowers, and plants play an important role in social life, not only improving air quality, but also providing leisure space and enhancing the quality of life for citizens Chen Kaihao said that more importantly, ancient trees grow with the development of the city, carry historical memories, and need to be well protected. (New Society)