If I say: Taiwan’s most beautiful schools, what comes to mind? Perhaps NTU with its famous avenues? Or one of many other beautiful Japanese-era universities. But how about an elementary school in Miaoli? A glade of 15 ancient pine trees graces the grounds of Douhuan Elementary. Teachers say having them there is a gift for kids and adults alike. But caring for the trees is not always easy. Let’s find out more.
A drone soars over a glade of Okinawa pine trees.
These 15 handsome pines grow at Douhuan Elementary in Miaoli’s Toufen City. The tall, verdant trees are more than 100 years old, a testament to the school’s history.
Hung Pao-chen
Douhuan Elementary teacher
They’re beautiful, so it’s very convenient to get out under the trees when we teach, for example. They’re always accompanying us. I feel them living with me and with the children.
Okinawa pines can live at higher or lower altitudes and are very adaptable. At their tallest, they can reach 25 meters into the sky. No one is sure who planted these pines. At one point, they became infected with an arboreal disease, but a tree rescue team nursed them back to health.
Hsu Jen-teh
Local resident
We hung drips on them like this, because the trees had got a fungal disease, which was causing their leaves to wither.
Hsu Pi-yun
Douhuan Elementary head
Maintaining the health of these trees is really challenging. It takes a lot of people working hard, and I’m grateful for the support and efforts of many people.
In a recent competition to find Taiwan’s most beautiful campuses, Douhuan received an A+, quite an honor for a little elementary school. The school is planning to build a curriculum around the trees, so local children can explore the wonders of nature just outside the window.
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