Guarding a 1,000-Year-Old Pine Against a Warming World

A 1,000-year-old Guest-Greeting Pine on Huangshan is protected by Hu Xiaosong, a 19th‑generation guardian who patrols the tree every two hours and now uses high-tech monitoring and an intrusion-alert app to keep tourists at bay. As climate change brings more severe weather, including freezing rain, Hu increases inspections and overnight vigilance, underscoring broader global discussions among mayors on building resilient, low‑carbon tourism and protecting landmarks like this ancient pine.