Observations on Wild Silkworms and Tree Varieties

Silkworms of the Pagoda tree original: "槐" (Huai). Sophora japonica, or the Chinese Scholar Tree. are as small as ants, while the moths found on the Elm original: "榆" (Yu). resemble grasshoppers or leeches. The cocoons of both are as flimsy as spider webs and are entirely unfit for weaving.

The cocoons of the Tree of Heaven original: "樗" (Chu). Ailanthus altissima, often called the "stinking cedar." contain very little silk. These insects bind several leaves together to form a hollow nest and curl up inside. If you pluck these nests and toss them aside, the silkworms will continue to move, dragging their leafy dwellings along with them. How could silkworms such as these ever produce the delicate, dangling threads original: "裊裊" (Niaoniao). Describes the graceful, slender, and swaying nature of high-quality silk. required for fine fabric?

The Oak original: "橡" (Xiang). tree is sturdy and robust. Its wood is brown, and its leaves are stiff and glossy. Those varieties that do not bear fruit meaning they do not produce acorns are called Blue Oaks original: "青岡" (Qinggang). Cyclobalanopsis glauca.. Their leaves are even thicker and larger, second only to those of the Silkworm Thorn Silkworm Thorn (柘): Cudrania tricuspidata, a tree whose leaves are a prized alternative to mulberry for feeding silkworms.. Because the silkworms eat these leaves, they take on the tree's characteristics; consequently, the silk they produce is exceptionally strong and naturally brown in color.

Lu Yuanke A scholar or local authority cited for his botanical observations. stated:
"The Mountain Ailanthus and the Lowland Ailanthus are essentially the same, yet people refuse to call them 'Ailanthus.' In explaining the nature of the 'Ailanthus,' some say it is similar to the Ailanthus but should not be categorized as such."

If we were to follow Master Lu’s logic, it would be more appropriate to call such a tree the Kao Kao (栲): A general term for various species of sturdy evergreen oaks or mangroves, often used for their durable wood and bark..