Why protect China's Metasequoias?

     In the spring of 1945 Chinese botanist Tsang Wang made a remarkable discovery. In the Hubei province of southeast China Mr. Wang discovered a living specimen of the metasequoia tree. What is so remarkable about this discovery, you are probably wondering. Well, it is important to note that the metasequoia had previously been known only from fossil records. Up until his discovery, the metasequoia was thought to be extinct.

     The three large trees that Mr. Wang discovered are the only species of their particular genus--a genus that traces its ancestry back to the Mesozoic era. However, since the metasequoias are confined to a very small geographic area, it is vital to protect these living fossils before they become extinct.

     This web site is designed to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the metasequoia trees as well as an overview of what is being done to protect them and their unique habitat.