Nam Fung Road — Fung Shui Wood
The only Fung Shui Wood in Hong Kong Island
According to Corlett (1999), Hong Kong’s original tropical evergreen broadleaf forests were probably cleared between the 15th and 17th centuries. The colonial government started planting trees in 1871 to improve the appearance of the barren hillsides, and this continued for the next 80 years with various species, mainly dominated by Pinus massoniana (馬尾松), Castanopsis fissa (黧蒴錐) and other exotic broadleafs including several species of Eucalyptus (桉樹), Lophostemon confertus (紅膠木), Acacia confusa (相思樹), Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (白千層).
The Fung Shui Forest is the Hong Kong’s original low-altitude broad-leaved forest, which serves as a buffer area for preserving the rural landscape and habitat. It has a diverse array of plant species, particularly lowland trees that have become increasingly scarce due to habitat destruction. These species, conserved within the Fung Shui Wood, act as a source of natural succession and regeneration for nearby habitats, thereby sustaining the ecological diversity of the entire region.
About the Fung Shui Wood
In ancient times, it was common practice to establish a village near a river and a hill serving as a natural barrier at the back. The river provided water for various purposes such as drinking, washing clothes, irrigating crops, and even protection. Meanwhile, the hills behind the village acted as a shield against typhoons during the windy season. Typically, there would be a forest between the back of the village and the mountain, which served as an additional layer of protection and also provided valuable resources for the community.
According to local villagers, trees are intricately connected to the feng shui (風水) of their village and can bestow blessings upon both the community and its residents. As a result, feng shui forests typically have a rich history and are often better preserved, more densely populated with trees, and more abundant in biodiversity.
Site and Location
The woodland that currently exists is a remnant of a mature forest that once covered the surrounding area and has been in existence for over 150 years. Its presence has been documented in botanical publications since 1845 (Lai & Yip, 2008), attesting to its historical significance. The floristic composition of this woodland is unique to Hong Kong Island, and it is one of the few remaining endorspermum woodlands in South China, making it a valuable subject for scientific research and conservation efforts [1].
Terrain and woodland statistics
Trees and suburbs in Nam Fung
The main trees are Endospermum chinense (黃桐) and Schima superba (木荷). Other important trees include Artocarpus hypargoreus (白桂木), Bridelia insulana (大葉逼迫子), and Mallotus paniculata (白楸).
There are also many woody vines in the woodland that can stretch over 30 meters. The most common climbers are Bauhinia championii (龍鬚藤), Bauhinia glauca (粉葉羊蹄甲), Calamus retradacolus (菖蒲), Gnetum Luofuense (羅浮買麻藤), and Uvaria grandiflora (山椒).
In addition to the climbers and trees, there are some rare and uncommon plants in the woodland. These include Artocarpus styracifolius (二色菠蘿蜜), Artocarpus tonkinensis (胭脂樹), Camellia salicifolia (柳葉毛蕊茶), Chrysophyllum Lanceolatum var. stellatocarpon (金葉樹), Cryptocarya concinna (黃果厚殼桂), Gleditsia fera (華南皂莢), Memecylon nigrescens (黑葉谷木), Uvaria calamistrata (玉竹), and Lagerstroemia.fordii (廣東紫薇).
Reference:
[1] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (2013), №50 — Nam Fung Road Woodland, website retrieve from ,https://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/access/pec/SSSI/plans/50.pdf
Corlett, R.T. Environmental forestry in Hong Kong: 1871–1997. For. Ecol. Manag. 1999, 116, 93–105.
Lai, Patrick C. C. & Yip, K. L. (2008). Vegetation of Hong Kong: the past, present and future. In: Hong Kong Herbarium & South China Botanical Garden (eds.), Flora of Hong Kong (Volume 2), pages xvi-xxiv. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong.
