Hu Yonghong has a key role in developing Chenshan Botanical Gardens into the largest of its kind in the country's east. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Guarding ecosystem

To Hu, a botanical garden is more than just a beautiful environment. The study of plants that such a place undertakes is pivotal to the development of civilization, he says, adding that in the 21st century it also plays a critical role in preventing the extinction of species, improving biodiversity and addressing issues caused by urbanization, such as pollution and heat.

"The development of human civilization has been accompanied by the rapid degeneration of nature. A hundred years ago, one species would go extinct every two or three years. Today, we have several species disappearing every day," he says. "A botanical garden is a guardian of our ecosystem.

"We are like Noah's Ark, a place that rescues endangered species and breeds them before returning them back to nature."

In this vein, Chenshan has been experimenting on more than a dozen tree species, trying to find some that could be a good fit with Shanghai's urban landscape. Aside from the dominant species of local camphor trees and British "plane" trees that are prevalent in the former French concession area, Shanghai has in recent years also introduced a large number of Chinese gingko trees and southern magnolia, native to the US.

"We have found several species, such as tulips and gum, that are developing well in Chenshan and they can be planted in wider parts of Shanghai in the future," he says.

"I hope that with our continual efforts, Shanghai will become a city in an enormous garden, and become a fine example in the world for its ecological environment."

Despite having worked in this industry for decades, Hu is still fascinated by plants. When looking out of his office, he points to a tulip tree that was planted as part of an urban greenery project. That tree was the strongest among many others planted there.

"In 200 years, I would be long gone, but this tree could very well continue to grow. Just imagine what it would look like in 200 years," he says. "Sometimes I wonder if a tree acquires wisdom throughout such a long life."