Forestry authorities in Xi'an, known as the capital of many ancient dynasties in Chinese history, said on Tuesday the city will spend more money to protect ancient trees.

Wang Xiaoji, director of Xi'an Forestry Technology Promotion Center, said the city would invest two million yuan (about US$290,000) to protect a first batch of 76 ancient trees aged 700 years old on average.

The trees include ginkgoes, Chinese scholar trees and pines, said Wang. One pine tree in a primary school yard in Lintong District is 2,100 years old.

Many of the trees have historical anecdotes. For example, a ginkgo tree in Lantian County is believed by historians to be planted by famous poet Wang Wei in Tang Dynasty (618-907), according to Wang.

Each tree will have a distinctive protection plan that takes into account its growth environment and historical background. Concrete measures include the protection of roots, soil improvement and restoration of protection fences.

Xi'an, currently capital of Shaanxi Province, is known as the capital of 13 dynasties such as Qin Dynasty (221 BC to 206 BC) and Tang Dynasty. It has 17,469 registered ancient trees, 226 of which are at least 500 years old.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2009)