Shanghai Daily news

More than 10 rare species of trees are now ready for planting on the Shanghai World Expo site.

The ornamental trees which will line the sidewalks will greet the guests from early spring to late autumn in 2010 with a variety of vivid colors.

On four hectares of growing area at the Minhang Forestry Station, the rare species of trees and shrubs have been carefully cultivated and watched over until they reached maturity.

Selected from 10,000 seedlings introduced from all over the world, most of the trees are so rare than many people would never have seen them before, according to Qian Youyu, director of the growing program.

Some trees will present different colors along with the changing seasons. "Autumn flame," a species of red maple from the United States, will present three colors from autumn, as the leaves shine red under the sunlight and mix with the golden color on the reverse side. And some of the tree's leaves will be the color of jade making a marvelous contrast.

Another maple, called "October Red" will develop random red dots on its green leaves from the autumn as the air gets colder.

"With a close look, each leaf will astonish you with its own pattern," said Qian.

The Expo gardens will be constantly changing in color as the seasons change as the plants have been chosen so that whatever the date, the gardens will present a colorful spectacle.

After four years of experience in caring for the plants, the methods of looking after the rare species have been perfected, according to Qian, and after transplanting they won't require special looking after.