千葉寺ノ公孫樹, Natural monument tree at Chiba-dera temple, Japan.
The ginkgo at Chiba-dera is a massive tree rising over 27 meters high with strong roots and four thick main branches. It stands within the temple grounds in Chuo and displays a broad crown structure with pronounced base formations.
The tree was reportedly planted by Buddhist monk Gyoki when Chiba-dera temple was founded in 709. It received official designation as a natural monument in 1935, marking its recognition as an important heritage element.
The ginkgo serves as a symbol of how Japanese temples honor ancient trees as part of their spiritual spaces. Visitors often pause beneath it to experience the continuity between past and present that the tree represents.
The tree stands freely accessible within the temple grounds and can be reached easily from the main entrance. The best time to visit is in autumn when the foliage displays golden colors and light enhances the tree's structure beautifully.
This specimen is male and therefore produces no seeds, distinguishing it from most ginkgos found elsewhere. Its four massive branches spread outward like compass points, forming a rare structural pattern that temple records have documented for centuries.
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