Green Fun Articles

Our Native Tree Residents

Index

Everybody knows that we all rely on the resources come from trees. Apart from supporting our woodland ecosystem, native trees also closely associate with the indigenous culture. Many of them have been taking care of us since ancient times in Hong Kong. Let's meet with these native residents.

KFBG has propagated over 100,000 seedlings of 140 native tree species for afforestation.

More than 390 native tree species have been recorded locally.

Beautiful Hair- Pao Fa Machilus (Machilus paohoi)

Pao Fa machilus is a medium sized native tree that produces clusters of small creamy yellow flowers in spring It's timber can be shaved and soaked to form a styling gel called "shaving wood oil" (Pao Fa oil). Having a bottle of shaving wood oil was required for setting trendy hair styles in the past. Today, actress of Cantonese Opera still uses shaving wood oil for sticking the wig pieces, or "strips" on to her face.

Pao Fa Machilus

Trees are normally silent, but not pop-gun seed! In order to make the most of this startling sound, village children used bamboo sticks to make toy guns, and the unripe fruits of pop-gun seed were used as bullets. When bullets were inserted into one end of the bamboo gun, the air inside would be under pressure by pistoning the other end with a thinner bamboo stick, and the bullet would pop out. Before the modern convenience of cap guns, children had discovered the secret of natural "toys" long ago.

Pop-gun Seed

The Life-saving Food - Chestnut Oak (Castanopsis fissa)

Hong Kong people who experienced the Japanese Occupation will never forget chestnut oaks. At that time, the Japanese army confiscated all goods and materials. Even decent men stole steamed buns from children in their hunger. In order to make the rice go farther, some people would mill the seeds of the chestnut oak and mix them with rice when cooking. With the increase of prosperity in Hong Kong, the chestnut oak is used less and less by humans, but its cluster of yellow, spiky flowers can still be seen on the hillsides between April and May.

Chestnut Oak

After reading these materials, is your mind filled with green and graceful plants? Go to the countryside! Perhaps you will be able to hear nature's call in the gentle movement of the leaves, and discover the wonders that so many city-dwellers miss.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
April 2002