CONSERVATION OF THE BIG TREE RHODODENDRON IN CHINA

China is home to over half of all rhododendron species, including the world's largest - the Big Tree Rhododendron. Fewer than 100 trees of this remarkable species are known in the wild with any certainty, all in Gaoligonshan nature reserve in south west China. FFI is working with local partners through the Global Trees Campaign to improve understanding of the ecology of this species, how to protect it and how to promote its regeneration.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Rhododendrons are an important group horticulturally and China is home to over half the known species. Rhododendron protistum var. giganteum is the largest Rhododendron in the world - a giant known locally as “big tree”, reaching up to 20-25m in height and around 1 metre in diameter.

Although popular as an ornamental, the Big Tree is only known in the wild with any certainty from Gaoligongshan mountain in south west Yunnan, China, although there are reports that it is also found in Myanmar. Fewer than 100 trees are thought to exist at Gaoligongshan, and the variety is considered Critically Endangered within China. Despite its distinctiveness, little is known of the biology and ecology of the tree in the wild but its low population numbers and very restricted area of occurrence mean it is a high priority for conservation.

The Global Trees Campaign, in partnership with Dr. Zhang Changqin from Kunming Institute of Botany is working with local nature reserve staff to carry out a project ro improve conservation of the big tree rhododendron. The project aims to:

• Research the status and ecology of the big tree rhododendron. This information will then be used to identify conservation management priorities for the tree. 
  

• Improve the capacity of Gaoligongshan nature reserve staff to carry out further ecological research and monitoring.
  

• Raise awareness of the species amongst communities and encourage people to be proud of, and protect the tree. Some discussion with local stakeholders will help to identify opportunities and priority for awareness raising activities and for using the tree as a flagship species for conservation in the area.

Read more about this species on our Big tree Rhododendron tree profile.

You can read more about our work to identify the world's most threatened rhododendrons on our Red Listing page.

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