Taiwan's Street Trees

The transformation of cities and towns in Taiwan over recent years is undeniable. Each locality attempts to identify its unique character and features. Benefiting from convenient transportation, rising living standards, and the boom in leisure industries, tourism has emerged as a new pillar industry—a smokeless industrial sector. In this era of globalization, local distinctiveness has become a unique cultural value and a distinctive taste, forming the foundation and inexhaustible resource for tourism. Under vigorous promotion by local governments, efforts have been fully devoted to developing local tourism, leading to the rise of local and creative industries. Urban renewal and infrastructure have improved significantly, with greening and beautification becoming trends that adorn cities. Gardens, parks, and green spaces are now priorities for emerging urban centers. Concrete walls are dotted with lush, colorful flowers and plants, creating a more intimate and natural atmosphere. Taiwan’s street trees are particularly striking; situated in a subtropical zone, Taiwan boasts rich and diverse flora.

In my childhood memories, the highway in Fangliao, Pingtung, was lined with coconut palms evoking a southern charm. Along the section near Jianxing Elementary School stood tall, stately olive trees; on the way to school each morning, I would often sneak a few fruits to satisfy my cravings. In Tainan County, many provincial roads were flanked by dense rows of mango trees, and even longan trees, until road widening projects led to their complete removal. In recent years, Taiwan has seen more variety in street tree choices, with different regions showing unique preferences. For instance, the Phoenix trees (Delonix regia) in Tainan’s old city are lush and abundant. The avenue of Phoenix trees along Dongfeng Road is breathtakingly beautiful. Recently, Golden Shower Trees (Cassia fistula) have become popular on new roads, such as those in front of Houjia Junior High School behind National Cheng Kung University—truly enchanting. Both species bloom spectacularly during their seasons; the Golden Shower Tree bursts into brilliant yellow flowers around the Dragon Boat Festival, while the red Phoenix flowers bloom beautifully when schools play farewell songs.

Chiayi, located at the foot of Mount Zhuo, offers particularly charming street tree selections. The embankment park along the Bazhang Creek and the Shixian Road section offer a captivating spring scene, with avenues of Golden Shower Trees blooming in dazzling splendor, stunning to behold. The Purple Bauhinia (Bauhinia blakeana), once lining the Alishan Highway with deep purple-red blooms, also left a deep impression. On the Minxiong section toward Chung Cheng University, former mango-lined avenues can now only be remembered. Other common street trees in Taiwan include Kapok trees, which burst into bloom under spring’s call. Famous for their majestic forms are the Small-leaf Almond and Large-leaf Almond trees, along with the Taiwanese Golden Rain Tree, Mahogany, Bitternut, Casuarina, and Blackboard Tree. The Blackboard Tree grows fastest but suffers the most damage during typhoons.