An interesting story lies behind the seeds of the Forbidden City Chinese Arborvitae.  Zane Smith, a friend of American Forests, was traveling to China representing People To People International and wanted to ask them to exchange historic seeds.  To be proper in China, one must present an equal gift before one can accept a gift, so Zane took George Washington Tulip Poplar seeds with him, presented them to his Chinese counterparts and they promptly obtained the Forbidden City Arborvitae seeds for him - a true cultural exchange.