Gushu (古树, literally “ancient tree”) is a Chinese tea classification for leaves harvested from mature, unmanaged tea trees that are typically 100 to 800 years old. Unlike plantation tea (taidi cha), which is grown from cultivated bushes in rows, gushu trees grow naturally in forest ecosystems with deep root systems that access mineral-rich soil layers. This terroir-driven difference produces teas with greater complexity, thicker mouthfeel (醇厚), and longer-lasting cha qi (tea energy).
While related, Gushu and Wild Ancient Trees are distinct concepts. Gushu refers to the broader cultural and taxonomic category of old tea trees across China’s tea regions — including both wild and historically cultivated trees. Wild Ancient Trees (野生古树), on the other hand, are a specific subset of gushu that grow in primary forests without any human cultivation. [Shaoguan](https://shaoguantea.com/glossary/shaoguan/)’s [Luokeng](https://shaoguantea.com/glossary/luokeng/) Nature Reserve is home to over 40,000 wild ancient trees, making it one of the densest old-tree populations in China. Both concepts define the Shaoguan Tea Reserve grade and above.