Tertian Wood and Elephant Nose Wood Introduction
After the first generation fell, the hollow trunks allowed more light to penetrate, and with the presence of a cloud forest climate, moss could grow on the tree surfaces to retain moisture. These factors made it easier for seeds to germinate on the dead cypress trees, giving rise to the second generation. The second generation grew atop the first, and after several hundred years, they too faced the fate of being cut down, leading to the emergence of the third generation from the second generation trees. This cyclical phenomenon of the forest experiencing life and death resulted in the current appearance. Next to the three generations of trees, there is a cut tree stump called "Elephant Trunk Wood," which appears like a resting elephant trunk when viewed from above the trail. In fact, these oddly shaped tree stumps are scattered throughout the entire national forest recreation area. Today, when we describe the remnants of these cypress trees based on their appearance, we can infer that a hundred years ago, Alishan was filled with massive original cypress forests, and these millennium-old cypress trees grew densely together, creating a spectacular scene!
