Tradition and tech team up to preserve 'orchard in the sky'

Ming legacy

The story of Shichuan began nearly five centuries ago during the Ming Dynasty, when farmers first recognized the unique microclimate of this Gansu basin.

"Shichuan is located in a basin with deep and fertile soil, large daynight temperature differences and a long frost-free period," said Li Xiaoli, a staff member at the Ancient Pear Orchard Protection Center. "These natural conditions are ideal for growing pears."

Over generations, local farmers developed a cultivation system adapted to the area's unique geography. Rather than reshaping the environment, they learned to work with the Yellow River's water resources and the Loess Plateau's terrain.

They planted deep-rooted pear trees on upper terraces to stabilize slopes, stop soil erosion, and conserve water, while cultivating crops on lower levels.

To maximize space and sunlight in the semi-arid environment, farmers developed the elevated canopy system. Supported by wooden frames, mature branches spread high above the ground, improving airflow, cutting disease risks, and creating space below for livestock, vegetables and medicinal herbs.

Today, the site shelters 9,423 pear trees that are over a century old, including more than 2,600 that have survived for over 300 years.

According to the FAO, the orchard follows a low-density planting model, with roughly 150 trees per hectare, creating favorable conditions for light penetration, airflow and intercropping.

In its assessment, the organization noted that this integrated agroforestry landscape creates a resilient ecological barrier along the Yellow River, improving nutrient cycling, strengthening local food security, and demonstrating how traditional knowledge can adapt to harsh environments.

"The knowledge developed in these orchards has been adapted and applied in newer plantations and surrounding landscapes, creating a coherent and ecologically sound agroforestry system," the FAO said in its description of the site.

Heritage plus science

Keeping 300-year-old trees alive requires constant intervention, but orchard managers are increasingly swapping chemical inputs for ecological solutions.

At a nursery near the orchard, rows of wild pear saplings are carefully cultivated for conservation work. According to orchard caretaker Wei Wanyi, these naturally occurring seedlings possess strong root systems and strong resistance to drought, disease and saline-alkaline conditions.

"They are valuable genetic resources," Wei said. "We use them for bridge grafting, trunk grafting and replanting endangered ancient trees."

Traditional restoration methods continue to play an important role in extending the lifespan of aging trees. Grafting, bridge grafting and cavity repair techniques are used to revive weakened specimens and improve their health.

Meanwhile, conservation efforts increasingly rely on environmentally friendly pest-control strategies.

Instead of depending heavily on chemical pesticides, orchard managers use a combination of physical and biological methods to manage major orchard pests including aphids, pear psyllids and several species of fruit-boring insects.

Yellow adhesive bands wrapped around tree trunks trap crawling insects before they reach the canopy. The practice evolved from a traditional local technique in which farmers piled sand around tree trunks to prevent pests from climbing upward.

"We improved the old method by replacing the sand barriers with adhesive bands," said Li Xiaoli, a staff member at the Ancient Pear Orchard Protection Center. "When insects climb up the trunk, they become trapped on the sticky surface."

Pheromone traps suspended among the branches provide another layer of protection, while beneficial insects are released to help maintain a natural balance between pest and predator populations, Li added.

Wei Zhouyu, a local farmer whose family has planted pear trees for generations, pointed to several triangular traps hanging among the branches, part of the orchard's biological pest-control system.

Such tools have become a common sight in recent years as the orchard expands the use of green management practices.

According to orchard managers, reducing chemical inputs has become a key principle of conservation. The goal is not only to protect fruit quality, but also to preserve the biodiversity that supports the orchard's long-term health.

While traditional knowledge remains central to orchard management, modern technology has become an increasingly important tool.

A major milestone came in 2019 with the implementation of the Regulations on the Protection of Shichuan Ancient Pear Trees, which established a legal framework for conservation and brought orchard management onto a more systematic footing.

Since the establishment of the Ancient Pear Orchard Protection Center in 2014, every tree has its own digital identity. Pointing to a tree estimated to be 345 years old, local farmer Wei Zhouyu showed the identification plate attached to its trunk. "The sign tells you the tree's variety, age and caretaker," he said.

The digital records also document each tree's health condition and maintenance history, allowing conservation teams to monitor changes over time and respond more quickly to emerging risks.

Today, more than 1,760 conservation agreements have been signed with farmers and agritourism operators, ensuring that local communities remain directly involved in protecting the orchard.