The photo shows a yellow pear tree, which the perpetrators failed to log. The tree was seriously damaged in the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on October 11, 2015. [Photo: news.qq.com]

It's been reported that a yellow pear tree was unlawfully logged recently, while another was severely damaged. The incident happened in the Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The logged tree was 51 years old and reportedly worth millions of yuan.

It is still unknown whether the damaged tree, the larger one among the two, can be saved. Its death would imply a greater loss.

There were a total of six yellow pear trees in the botanical garden. The trees are not only rare but also traditionally considered as quality lumber material. Thus, it can be sold at a good price in the market.

The police are currently investigating the case, but no lead has been found so far.

URL: http://english.cri.cn/12394/2015/10/13/4202s899281.htm