Save the forest

Zhao went to examine the saplings every day from spring to summer, weeding and spraying de-worming medicine. He also prevented oxen from coming close to the trees to eat them.

Everything went smoothly and the trees grew taller and taller, and in the second spring, Zhao started to grow ash trees in the area.

He was upset when he realized that many mountaineers preferred to grow ginseng or other crops in the mountains to make a living. Zhao had to persuade them and sometimes quarrel with them to obtain more places to plant more trees.

Some farmers even uprooted saplings but Zhao would plant them again. Zhao persisted for three years and farmers were tired of the competition with him and gave up working in the area.

Zhao examines tree saplings. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]