Seventy-two ancient trees across the country have been nominated for the
Vietnam Heritage Tree title for both historical and cultural values.
Among the list, Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in
central Khanh Hoa province has four trees, including two Mu u
(Calophylum) trees on Son Ca and Sinh Ton islands, one Bang vuong
(square-fruit Malabar Almond) and one Phong ba (scientifically known
Heliotropium foertherianum). All of them are more than 30 years old and
have special values in terms of history, culture, biology and
environment.
The northernmost province of Ha Giang
is home to 13 nominated trees from 500 to 600 years of age. They include
four banyans in Dong Van town and nine giant Cho chi (Parashrea
stellata) trees in Bac Me district which are more than 45m high.
An over-200-year-old banyan tree in Tho Son village, in Dai Nghia town
of Hanoi’s My Duc district is also nominated for the title.
The remaining trees are in Tan Hoa commune, Dong Phu district, in the southern province of Binh Phuoc.
The nominated trees are waiting for approval by the Chairman of the
Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE).
If they get the approval, the number of recognised Heritage Trees will reach 700.
In 2011, the VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam Heritage
Trees, aiming to select and honour the country’s heritage trees in a bid
to conserve their gene sources, while raising public awareness of
protecting the environment.
It also
contributes to promoting the diversification and abundance of Vietnam’s
flora as well as developing scientific research in the field.
To win the honour, the trees must be at least 200 years old in the
case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for those planted. Moreover,
the trees should be connected with the historical and cultural
characteristics of the area where they grow.
Those which do not meet the aforesaid criteria yet have special values
in science, history or culture, will also earn recognition.-VNA