Fences are set up around the old holly tree standing in the middle of Baoxi Road. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

A 400-year-old holly tree now has a special place on Baoxi Road – a new road built in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC).

The tree is hailed as the oldest of its kind in the city of Wuhan.

Baoxi Road is located next to the Optics Valley ecological corridor and extends toward Jiufeng Mountain. The old tree has witnessed the ups and downs of human history for 400 years and has been given a new life thanks to the care taken by a special team assigned by the government for tree maintenance.

After centuries of growth, half of the tree trunk is now hollow, while the other half is still filled with vitality. According to Chen Siming, a member of the team, measures have been taken to reinforce the tree, and the team has disinfected its whole body to eradicate insects or eggs hidden in the trunk. The dead part of the tree has been covered with tung oil to protect it from further degradation.

An expert panel has researched the soil under the tree and developed a formula to boost its fertility.

A young tree grows next to the old tree, hiding the hollowness with its exuberant leaves. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]