Compass Magazine, November 2003

'Old Tree Mama' fights to save Taiwan’s ancient trees By Ching-yi Cho Translation and photos by Cheryl Robbins

       In Miaoli county's Dahu Township over the last 20 years, Fen-yu Hsieh, nicknamed “Old Tree Mama”, has rescued ancient trees threatened with destruction due to economic progress. She has moved trees to property that she has purchased by taking out huge bank loans. But, unable to keep up with the loan payments, she is worried about the future of her land’s giant inhabitants.

       Hsieh’s plight recently caught media attention when she appealed to President Chen Shui-bian for help. Unfortunately, the government has failed to respond and the land has been taken back by the bank to await auction. Even in the face of such adversity, she lovingly caresses one of the trees in her care, saying that, “I believe this is God’s mission for me.”

       This Hakka woman used to run a local grocery store with her husband, and didn’t know much about trees or environmental conservation. However, in 1983, tragedy struck with the death of her husband. Her friends made great efforts to cheer her up, taking her for nature walks or overseas. Seeing the importance placed on environmental conservation in other parts of the world, Hsieh discovered that Taiwanese lacked respect for trees, leading to her transformation into a now full-time environmental activist.

       Hsieh says that, to save trees, she did her own research on how to move them to her property and nurture them. As an example of her dedication, she personally waters a tree daily for the first three years that it is on her property. It is her hope that her efforts will increase awareness of the need for environmental conservation among Taiwanese.

       Hsieh, now 57, understands that her energy and resources are limited. She hopes to find the funds to establish a foundation, or for the government to take over management of her land to create an ancient tree park for education, research and recreation. This park can also serve as a kind of “tree orphanage” or “tree bank”. Trees that need saving can be brought to the park, and can be adopted by schools looking for a unique educational opportunity.

       She says that all of the trees on her land have been around for hundreds of years and are valuable historical evidence. She adds that older trees possess a soul and that, if people listen hard enough, they can hear the unique stories that these plants have to tell.

       For more information about Hsieh’s efforts, contact her at (037) 995-235 or 0916-186-371. Fax: (037) 995-236. E-mail: treemama@hotmail.com. Address: 1, Gaohu, Daliao Cun, Dahu Township, Miaoli County. For information in English, contact her daughter Mimi at 0912- 616-996.