A local farmer has successfully propagated three plants from the famous “Takeshi Kaneshiro tree” in Chihshang Township in Taitung County, which was uprooted during a storm earlier this year.

The seven meter tall tree became a landmark after featuring in a 2013 campaign by EVA Airways that showed Taiwan-Japanese movie star Takeshi Kaneshiro sitting under its branches.

The farmer rushed to the scene shortly after the bishopwood was toppled by Typhoon Matmo and collected seeds that fell from the tree.

He says he has succeeded in growing three saplings, one of which is now 25 centimeters tall.

The man says he has given one of the saplings to the National Museum of Prehistory in Taitung City, and the other two to his friends.