Torreya grandis, an evergreen conifer native to China that is known for its edible and nutritious nuts. [Photo/VCG]

In Shaoxing, Zhuji's torreya plantations now cover 388,000 mu (about 25,867 hectares), with an annual output value exceeding 2 billion yuan (about $299 million). 

Yet the industry faces multiple challenges: unpredictable weather, an aging workforce, the difficulty of harvesting ancient trees, price pressure from torreya grown elsewhere, and limited sales channels. 

This year's torreya harvest in Shaoxing is low due to the trees' natural cycle of alternate bearing, but grower Xuan Xincan in Dongxi village of Zhaojia town in Zhuji, a county-level city in Shaoxing, has not seen his income fall. 

Torreya (Torreya grandis), an evergreen conifer native to China that is known for its edible nuts, is at the heart of his business. His homestay is thriving, and products such as torreya oil and torreya soap are selling well — a "four-season business" that keeps revenue steady even when the nuts are scarce.

Local businesses are finding new ways to navigate such challenges. In Keqiao district, Shanwazi Torreya invited its most experienced fermentation master into a livestream — not to sell products, but to tell the story of the nuts. 

In Zhuji, Shangyingshan Torreya has developed torreya paste, torreya biscuits and other products. It has also opened an offline experience store in the historic Former Residence of Wang Xizhi. 

From a "one-season nut" to a "four-season business", Xuan's homestay "Feipanju" relies on the 1,000-year-old torreya trail and is usually fully booked on holidays. 

Many homestays now offer "torreya forest healing" experiences — hugging ancient trees, breathing in torreya essential oil, and sipping torreya coffee. Young people are willing to pay extra for a moment of relaxation.