Experts from the Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve in Guangxi have carried out a systematic rescue of four silver fir trees, including one known as the "Silver Fir King," according to 新华社广西分社. The work, which ran for more than three months, brought together forestry specialists, plant protection researchers and ancient-tree rescue experts.
The team used drones and TRU tree radar equipment to examine the trees without causing damage, 新华社广西分社 reports. The rescue plan was tailored to each individual tree rather than applied uniformly across the group.
Work covered several areas. The trees received non-invasive health checks, structural reinforcement and support, lightning protection, and restoration of the habitat around them, according to the report.
The reserve also plans to set up a long-term monitoring system to track how the ancient trees grow over time. The report describes the silver firs as "green living fossils," a reference to the species' status as a rare and ancient plant.
The involvement of drones and radar scanning reflects a broader trend of applying remote sensing and imaging tools to plant conservation, allowing experts to inspect trees that are difficult or risky to examine by other means.
What to watch next: whether the reserve publishes results from its monitoring system, which would show how the four trees respond to the treatment over the coming seasons.