To mark the 48th National Tree Planting Day on March 12, Shenzhen citizens participated in tree-planting and care activities citywide. In Shenzhen, the relationship between people and trees extends far beyond this single occasion.
Trees in daily life
As the seasons change, different trees come into bloom. Kapok trees brighten Shangbao Road in Jingtian, while purple trumpet trees add color in Qianhai Guiwan. Silk floss trees decorate Lianhuashan Park, and plum blossoms bring fragrance to Plum Garden. Enjoying flowers has become an urban lifestyle.
Birdwatching offers another way to connect with nature. In the Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve, visitors watch migratory birds and share the mangroves with them.
On the hilltop of Honghuashan Park stands a solitary tree. Locals call it the "soul tree”. Many visitors come here simply to rest beneath its branches.
Trees appear throughout everyday scenes. Outside Bailupo Book Bar in Shenzhen Bay Park, a giant Albizia tree provides shade. In Dapeng Fortress, a century-old banyan tree shelters a small café, where people read and enjoy coffee.
Trees in design
Urban renewal projects intentionally preserve old trees, placing them at the heart of new designs.
In Jiangwu Village, Yantian District, a community has been built around an ancient tree. In Dachong Village, Nanshan District, a square surrounds a century-old banyan tree, nestled among modern towers.
At Xichong Station on Metro Line 8, images of ancient trees are incorporated into the architecture. In the Xichong Depot, native trees have been well preserved and integrated with the surrounding park.
At Yanhan Mountain Country Park, a public restroom features a skylight positioned directly above a tree, letting light spill gently through its canopy.
Trees as memory
Rongshutou Square, located at the end of Xudu Street in Longgang District, features a banyan tree planted during the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908). Once a bustling Hakka market gathering spot, it now stands as a living landmark.
In Guihua Community, Guanlan Subdistrict, residents meet under a century-old banyan tree to discuss neighborhood matters. Similarly, a tree in Chiwei Village, Futian District, has provided shelter to villagers for over 130 years.
Lychee trees carry special memories. At Shenzhen University, lychee groves line the campus. Each summer, the university harvests and shares the fruit with students, faculty, and visitors. Lychee Park and Xiangmi Park share this tradition. The sweetness comes not just from the fruit but from the act of sharing.
In Shenzhen, the story of people and trees deepens with each passing year.
(Photo: Shenzhen Evening News)