A 15-meter fir tree used as a Christmas tree in front of a local shopping mall was put on record for investigation by local law enforcement in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

"The Christmas tree was a real fir tree at least 30 years of age. We have to find out from where it was moved because the species is protected," they said.

To prevent rare tree species from being chopped down, local authorities are now launching an investigation about all living trees that were used as Christmas trees in local restaurants and hotels.

(ChinaDaily December 26, 2007)