Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Tangled thickets and thirsty mosquitoes safeguard the secret of Koon Wing Chan . Less than two kilometers from the mainland Chinese border , in a quiet shadowy grove by a local village , sits a rare 200-year-old wild incense tree . `` No one in this village even knows that this is an incense tree -- except me , '' says the 54-year old Chan . `` I love these trees because I grew up with them . '' He wants to ensure his two young sons do as well . Officially known as Aquilaria sinensis , `` agarwood '' was once a common commodity , but is now rare because of illegal logging . Chan has been trying to change that . Over the past four years , he has planted 10,000 new trees on Hong Kong 's only incense plantation , part of a family business passed on to him from his father and grandfather . All told , the plantation has some 300,000 incense trees . `` My grandfather was the one in the family who started planting these incense trees back in the day , '' reminisces Chan . `` When I was young , I followed him up into the hills to help . Now , I see a lot of incense trees in Hong Kong have been logged , so I want to preserve them . '' While incense tree conservation is one of Chan 's motivations , a lucrative livelihood is another . Chan explains he can sell a sapling for as much as $ 600 . The 10,000 trees he planted could mean millions if he were to sell . But if left to mature at least 10 years , the trees can be an even bigger moneymaker once harvested -- supplying incense powder , fragrant wood used in herbal teas as well as traditional Chinese medicines with anti-inflammatory properties . The wood itself can command a hefty sum . Chan says one arms-length carving can command $ 125,000 . He adds his buyers usually come from Taiwan and mainland China after they learn of his business through word of mouth or through his website . But because of its high price and limited supply , the incense tree has also become a victim of its own value . Mainland Chinese loggers are to blame , says Professor Chi-Yung Jim , chairman of the geography department at the University of Hong Kong . `` They would come here -- of course illegally - usually in a fast boat at night . They would land and then climb into the hills , and stay there to actually set up some kind of rudimentary camp - and even cook there , '' explains Jim . `` And then they would systematically find these trees . Its value is comparable to gold , but of course , we are talking about the highest quality . '' Over the past 90 years , Wing Lee Sandalwood has been legally trading in that quality . Long , slender aromatic joss sticks line the shop 's walls . An incense burner sits by the entrance , puffing out a smoky scent to passersby . The most expensive incense wood sells for $ 2500 per kilogram . About once a month , employees hand roll incense sticks from scratch -- starting with incense power , water and secret , trade ingredients . Business has been bustling , says employee Li Hua Peng . `` In the past five years , I can see from my shop that there are more customers buying incense wood . The most popular products are the ones that are used for worshipping gods . '' In fact , incense is primarily used for prayer and how Hong Kong got its name . Hundreds of years ago , this city served as a regional supplier of scents -- an Asian hub for aromatic affairs . `` Hong '' means fragrant in the local Cantonese language . `` Kong '' means harbor . In the meantime , Chan hopes people will not forget the city 's heritage as he nurtures the city 's last incense plantation to save the `` Hong '' of Hong Kong . `` I hope my incense trees can grow bigger and be everywhere . Even though Hong Kong is urbanizing I think more trees can and should be planted . '' Vivian Kam contributed to this story .
Hong Kong plantation has 300,000 incense trees , but are increasingly rare . Comment: Much of the native trees have been eliminated by illegal harvesting . The most expensive incense wood sells for $ 2500 per kilogram .