Three-Generation Woods Introduction
Alishan's famous Three-Generation Trees are located along the forest trails of the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. This phenomenon refers to an old tree that has produced three generations of trees. The first-generation old Red Cypress lived for 1,500 years before dying, with its trunk lying horizontally on the ground. After 250 years, moss covered the surface of the trunk, creating a moisture-retaining layer. The exposed sky above allowed ample sunlight to reach the area, enabling the second generation of seedlings to survive on the fallen trunk, growing and thriving by drawing nutrients from the decaying wood. After another 300 years, the second generation of trees went through a long cycle of growth and decline, eventually becoming hollowed out, leading to the emergence of new seedlings, resulting in what we see today as the third generation of trees. In the Red Cypress forests of Taiwan, it is not uncommon to find such phenomena where grandparent, parent, and offspring coexist. However, the third-generation Red Cypress tree at Alishan, which stands over ten feet tall and has lush branches and roots intertwined in a beautiful heart shape, has become a favorite photo spot for couples in the country (although it has since fractured due to natural weathering), making it an ideal backdrop for wedding photos. Additionally, the Three-Generation Trees are one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Alishan, with the trail from the Alishan Work Station to the Three-Generation Trees even nicknamed "Sakura Blossom Path." Visitors to Alishan should take the time to enjoy and cherish the wonders of this ancient tree; perhaps in a few hundred or thousand years, there will be a fourth, fifth, or sixth generation of towering trees as well.
