Wonder willow walks 150 meters in 200 years

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 ◆ Wonder willow walks 150 meters in 200 years

A miraculous old willow in north China's Hebei Province has walked 150 meters from where it first took root over 200 years ago.

The wandering willow, found in Xiaozhapagou village of Longhua County, was washed more than 70 meters down a hillside to the riverbank by a flood about 200 years ago, villagers say.

The tree was then lying horizontally on the riverbank with its roots mostly exposed but it refused to die.

As hanging branches began to take root in the silt, they gradually replaced the dying roots, and began continually pushing the willow forward.

In this way, the willow "walked" nearly 80 meters along the riverbank, according to measurements of the local forestry authority.

The willow gradually developed two trunks, each forming two arches. The trunk to the south now extends 18 meters and is nearly seven meters high, the one in the north measures 16 meters and is over seven meters high.

The wonder tree has become a landmark in the village and is being given great care by the villagers.