The monitoring device used to protect the ancient ginkgo tree from termites. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The 1,300-year-old ginkgo tree in Rugao, a city administered by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, is being protected from termites by a high-tech device.

The monitoring device consists of bait, a trigger, and an alert chip. If a termite bites the bait, it will trigger the sensor, which will immediately send an alert to the device's mobile terminal, said Zhang Baohu of the local termite control station.

Students study in the shade of the 1,300-year-old ginkgo tree in Rugao. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Zhang added that the device has helped reduce harm from termites and played an active role in protecting precious local trees.

The ginkgo tree, 32 meters in height and 6.8 meters in girth, has survived various wars and disasters. New buds still appear on the tree every year, casting a large shadow on hot summer days.

In 2014, the ginkgo tree was listed among 10 longevity trees in Jiangsu.

The 1,000-year-old Juniperus formosana in Shuihui Garden. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Renowned for the longevity of its residents, Rugao is also home to 137 precious longevity trees.

One is the 1,500-year-old ginkgo tree in Banjing village, considered the king of trees in Nantong. With a height of 30 meters and a maximum girth of 8.7 meters, the ancient tree is capable of casting a shadow over an area of 1 mu (0.067 hectares).

The 1,200-year-old sophora japonica in Banjing town. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The 1,000-year-old Juniperus formosana is the treasure of the city's Shuihui Garden, while another sophora japonica in Banjing town has a history of about 1,200 years.