Chinese archeologists have confirmed a 1,200-year-old scholar tree in the northern port city of Tianjin is probably the oldest in the entire north China region.

The ancient tree is growing in a small courtyard in Xizui village of the centuries-old town of Yangliuqing. It is more than 20 meters tall and 1.5 meters in diameter.

Archeologists believe the tree must have been planted in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).

Botanical workers have encircled the tree with cement to protect it from damage when they found some sections of its trunk had become hollow and part of its bark had started to fall off.

In a neighboring courtyard, just 10 meters away, are two other scholar trees each at least 600 years old.

Villagers say botanists and archeologists are flocking to the village to study the ancient trees and an ancient canal about 50 meters away.

Sources with the Tianjin Bureau of Parks and Woods confirmed earlier that around 50 percent of the 720 trees over 100 years old-- over a half of which are pines -- are in danger. The local government is trying various means to save them, including using fertilizers and pesticides, filling holes, and pruning.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2004)