In 1961, the CFDO took some steps to rejuvenate the tree, but on the morning of July 1, 1997, the day Hong Kong was handed over to China, this tree which had stood tall throughout history finally succumbed to the ravages of time, toppling with a loud crash amidst a torrential downpour.
1961 年，林管處在樹上釘木填土，栽植苗木，希望阿里山神木能回春，但在 1997 年 7 月 1 日、香港回歸中國的那天早上，這棵亙古以來始終挺立的神木終究不敵歲月摧殘，在傾盆豪雨中轟然折倒。