Taitung 'Sky Tree' Revived, Overly Dense Canopy Prompts Experts to Recommend Pruning, Delaying Scaffold Removal
The Banyan tree in Taitung City's Triangle Park, known as the 'Sky Tree,' has recovered its vitality after more than five years of care. However, with nutrients concentrated in the upper part causing an overly dense canopy, experts recommend appropriate pruning and delaying the removal of its supporting scaffolding. A tree conservation seminar will be held on the 27th.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 16:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 17:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 17:07 (5 min after Collected)
TAITUNG COUNTY (Central News Agency reporter Lu Tai-cheng, May 6) - The large Banyan tree in Taitung City's Triangle Park, rescued by having its diseased crown removed and known as the 'Sky Tree,' has regained its vitality after more than five years of care. However, nutrients are concentrated in the upper part, leading to an overly dense canopy. Experts recommend appropriate pruning and state that it is currently not suitable for scaffold removal.
The old Banyan tree in Taitung City's Triangle Park, over 60 years old, carries countless stories of Taitung residents. It was slated for removal by public agencies around 2020 due to illness. However, architect Huang Szu-sheng pleaded everywhere and personally funded its rescue, eventually preserving the old Banyan tree with the help of former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Liu Chao-hao.
Relevant units invited tree doctors for diagnosis, and it was found that the old Banyan tree was infected with brown root rot. Consequently, its crown, roots, and bottom trunk were cut off, and it was supported by scaffolding, resembling a tree floating in the sky. Taitung citizens called it the magical 'Sky Tree.' This legendary rescue process attracted external attention and became an example for many schools' outdoor teaching and environmental education.
After more than five years of recuperation and care, the 'Sky Tree' has fully recovered its vitality, with lush branches and leaves. The original plan was to remove the scaffolding this year, but Chen Cheng-feng, a consulting expert from the Executive Yuan's Council of Agriculture's National Tree Planting Advisory Center, suggested a delay.
Chen Cheng-feng told a Central News Agency reporter today that while the tree has a beautiful shape, its canopy is growing too vigorously, and nutrients are concentrated in the upper part, which may affect its continued development. He recommended delicate, gradual pruning to adjust the volume of branches and leaves, allowing the growth focus to return to the lower root system, and that it is currently not suitable for scaffold removal.
The Fuda Tree Conservation Foundation will hold the '2026 Taitung Tree Conservation Seminar and Taitung City Triangle Park Old Tree Maintenance Event' in Triangle Park on the 27th.
The content covers old trees and cultural landscapes, local memories, environmental perception and cultural preservation, introduction to common pests and diseases of old trees, prevention and control of brown root rot in trees, rescue processes through tree surgery, maintenance and management of trees, investigation and outlook of Taitung truffles, development and current status of Taitung tree conservation, ideas and origins of rescuing the old Banyan tree in Triangle Park, and a tour of the old Banyan tree in Triangle Park.
The event is limited to 35 participants, free of charge, and requires online registration starting today until the 19th or until full. The Foundation welcomes gardeners or general public interested in tree conservation to register. (Edited by Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150506
The old Banyan tree in Taitung City's Triangle Park, over 60 years old, carries countless stories of Taitung residents. It was slated for removal by public agencies around 2020 due to illness. However, architect Huang Szu-sheng pleaded everywhere and personally funded its rescue, eventually preserving the old Banyan tree with the help of former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Liu Chao-hao.
Relevant units invited tree doctors for diagnosis, and it was found that the old Banyan tree was infected with brown root rot. Consequently, its crown, roots, and bottom trunk were cut off, and it was supported by scaffolding, resembling a tree floating in the sky. Taitung citizens called it the magical 'Sky Tree.' This legendary rescue process attracted external attention and became an example for many schools' outdoor teaching and environmental education.
After more than five years of recuperation and care, the 'Sky Tree' has fully recovered its vitality, with lush branches and leaves. The original plan was to remove the scaffolding this year, but Chen Cheng-feng, a consulting expert from the Executive Yuan's Council of Agriculture's National Tree Planting Advisory Center, suggested a delay.
Chen Cheng-feng told a Central News Agency reporter today that while the tree has a beautiful shape, its canopy is growing too vigorously, and nutrients are concentrated in the upper part, which may affect its continued development. He recommended delicate, gradual pruning to adjust the volume of branches and leaves, allowing the growth focus to return to the lower root system, and that it is currently not suitable for scaffold removal.
The Fuda Tree Conservation Foundation will hold the '2026 Taitung Tree Conservation Seminar and Taitung City Triangle Park Old Tree Maintenance Event' in Triangle Park on the 27th.
The content covers old trees and cultural landscapes, local memories, environmental perception and cultural preservation, introduction to common pests and diseases of old trees, prevention and control of brown root rot in trees, rescue processes through tree surgery, maintenance and management of trees, investigation and outlook of Taitung truffles, development and current status of Taitung tree conservation, ideas and origins of rescuing the old Banyan tree in Triangle Park, and a tour of the old Banyan tree in Triangle Park.
The event is limited to 35 participants, free of charge, and requires online registration starting today until the 19th or until full. The Foundation welcomes gardeners or general public interested in tree conservation to register. (Edited by Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150506