aeeble

The famous Three‑Generation Tree in Alishan is located along the forest trail in the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. It refers to a remarkable sight formed by an old tree that has produced three successive generations of the same stem. The first generation of the red cypress grew for 1,500 years before dying, leaving the main trunk lying horizontally on the ground. After 250 years, moss covered the upper surface of the trunk, creating a moist layer; when the tree collapsed, the sky above was exposed, providing ample sunlight that allowed seedlings of the second generation to survive on top, drawing nutrients from the dead tree and growing vigorously. Three hundred years later, the second‑generation wood, after a long period of flourishing and withering, gradually became hollow and eventually sprouted new seedlings—this is the third generation that we see today. In Taiwan’s red cypress forests, such “ancestral‑parent‑child” generations growing together on the same spot are not uncommon. However, the third‑generation red cypress in Alishan, standing over ten meters tall, now boasts lush branches and tangled roots that happen to form a beautiful heart shape. It has become the most beloved photo spot for couples in the country (now affected by natural wear and fractures) and is an ideal backdrop for wedding photographs. Moreover, the Three‑Generation Tree is the most popular spot for cherry‑blossom viewing in Alishan. From the Alishan Work Station to the trail leading to the Three‑Generation Tree, even the “Sakura‑tree Trail” has earned a nickname. Tourists visiting Alishan may wish to go see this amazing old tree; who knows, perhaps a fourth, fifth, or sixth generation may appear in the centuries to come.