<div>A rare yew tree whose extract is used to treat cancer and is believed to be about 3,000 years old has been discovered in China, authorities said today.<br /><br />The living tree is located in Huanggou Forest, in northeast China's Jilin Province.<br /><br />It is more than 40 metres tall and has a diameter of 1.68 metres, said Yang Yongsheng, head of the forest administration.<br /><br />According to the provincial forestry department, it is the oldest - believed to be about 3,000 years old - and the best-preserved Chinese yew in Jilin.<br /><br />It is among more than 30 Chinese yew trees discovered recently, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.<br /><br />Called a "living fossil" of the plant world, the Chinese yew has existed for 2.5 million years.<br /><br />Since many of the trees have been harvested to extract taxol, used to treat cancer, the species is now under first-grade national protection for endangered plants.</div>
<div>A rare yew tree whose extract is used to treat cancer and is believed to be about 3,000 years old has been discovered in China, authorities said today.<br /><br />The living tree is located in Huanggou Forest, in northeast China's Jilin Province.<br /><br />It is more than 40 metres tall and has a diameter of 1.68 metres, said Yang Yongsheng, head of the forest administration.<br /><br />According to the provincial forestry department, it is the oldest - believed to be about 3,000 years old - and the best-preserved Chinese yew in Jilin.<br /><br />It is among more than 30 Chinese yew trees discovered recently, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.<br /><br />Called a "living fossil" of the plant world, the Chinese yew has existed for 2.5 million years.<br /><br />Since many of the trees have been harvested to extract taxol, used to treat cancer, the species is now under first-grade national protection for endangered plants.</div>