Thousand-Year-Old Couple Tree Introduction
The couple trees, which are a species of banyan tree, stand majestically on a hillside, positioned one in front of the other. The "wife tree" is located lower, with softer branches and plump, oval leaves that bear fruit; the "husband tree," on the other hand, is situated higher, has harder branches, and features narrower, longer leaves that do not bear fruit. The wife tree is approximately 500 years old, while the husband tree is estimated by locals to be around 1,500 years old. Originally entwined, the couple trees were separated during a typhoon when lightning struck the husband tree, breaking off one of its arms and forcibly pulling them apart. The husband tree had reached out with this branch to embrace the wife tree, and now, with the arm broken, the image of the two trees lovingly entwined is lost. After centuries of existence, the couple trees have been designated as precious trees under the management of Taitung County, and they were even selected as one of the top ten beautiful sights in the Hualien-Taitung area during a beauty selection event organized by the Taitung County Social Education Center. After enjoying a dove ice cream, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the walking path around the couple trees, and if time permits, experience the joy of pottery at the nearby Dongjiu Kiln.
