The　anode　of　Ge　has　attracted　extensive　attention　due　to　its　high　theoretical　capacity　and　energy　density.　A　composite　of　hierarchically　structural　Ge　encapsulated　with　nitrogen-doped　carbon　has　been　successfully　synthesized　by　using　a　scalable　method.　Such　a　composite　properly　combines　the　two　superiorities　of　hierarchically　structural　Ge　and　nitrogen-doped　carbon,　showing　a　superior　electrochemical　performance.　Designed　as　an　anode　for　lithium　ion　batteries,　a　high　reversible　capacity　of　1067　mA　h　g−1　after　300　cycles　at　1　A　g−1,　an　outstanding　rate　capabilities　of　1270　mA　h　g−1　at　0.1　A　g−1　and　605　mA　h　g−1　at　20　A　g−1　and　a　stably　long-term　capacity　of　912　mA　h　g−1　after　600　cycles　at　2　A　g−1　were　achieved.　The　hierarchically　structural　electrode　could　promote　the　diffusion　of　electrolyte　into　anode　of　Ge　particles,　and　the　nitrogen-doped　carbon　could　strengthen　the　stability　of　structure　and　enhance　electrical　conductivity　of　the　composite.　This　work　could　pave　a　new　route　for　developing　Ge-based　anodes　in　next-generation　lithium　ion　batteries　and　high-energy-storage　devices.　©　2018　Elsevier　B.V.