These pictures show workers returning a 300-year-old, 26-tonne tree to the ground after it was stolen more than six months ago.
This 26-tonne tree is being returned to the ground after it was stolen more than six months ago
The enormous wild walnut tree has finally been claimed back by Lagou Nature Reserve in Liuzhou, southern China’s Guangxi Province, after travelling more than 1,500 miles.
Police have been tracking the tree, which has been valued at 1 million yuan (£100,000), since it was stolen on April 20 this year.
The hickory tree is around 26 tonnes in weight and two metres in diameter, according to Shanghai Daily.
The Guangxi Province Forestry Police Department traced it to southwest China’s Guiyang – a distance of more than 3,000km (more than 1,500 miles) away.
Since being stolen, the tree had apparently been sold several times – the last time for 1 million yuan.
Ten people have been detained by police in relation to the case.
In addition to yielding tasty nuts, the walnut tree is treasured by carpenters and sculptors alike because of its hard, versatile timber.
The tree can grow to 100ft tall and is very durable, living for hundreds of years.
Agencies
