Alishan Sacred Tree Ruins Introduction
In 1914, the Alishan Forest Railway was fully opened, and the towering Alishan Sacred Tree was once one of the most representative landscapes of the Alishan Forest Railway. It harmonized beautifully with the little trains that traveled through the mountains, becoming an important symbol of Alishan and making it internationally renowned. This magnificent red cypress tree, over three thousand years old, witnessed the history of Taiwan's forestry culture and nature. However, in 1953, the Sacred Tree was first struck by lightning, causing significant damage to its trunk. On June 7, 1956, the tree unfortunately suffered another lightning strike, leading to an internal fire in the trunk, and it eventually withered and died. After enduring decades of wind and rain erosion, on July 1, 1997, the Sacred Tree could no longer bear the weight due to continuous heavy rainfall that loosened the soil and saturated moisture, and one-third of its trunk collapsed. To ensure the safety of people and vehicles, the Sacred Tree was toppled on the morning of June 29, 1998, at 10:30 AM after a prayer ceremony, allowing it to return to nature. A sapling of red cypress was planted beside it, symbolizing the continuation of life. Today, the remains of the Sacred Tree have become one of the new Eight Scenic Spots of Alishan. Although the Sacred Tree is no longer standing, the spirit and historical memory it carries remain deeply rooted in people's hearts, continuing to attract visitors to reminisce about the past and the magnificent nature of this land.
