The mystery of the heritage tree population just honored in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, a population of 56 Sa Mu Dau trees and 5 Sang Vi trees in the forest in Nghe An were awarded a certificate of recognition as Vietnam Heritage Trees by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment. These are precious forest trees, closely associated with the life and spirituality of the indigenous community.

The population of Sang Vi trees belongs to Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.

Indian laurel tree, scientific name is Cunninghamia konishii Hayata. Family Cupressaceae. Local name (Thai) is often called hairy tree.

The Sa mu dau tree is distributed in the majestic natural forests running along the Vietnam-Laos border. In Nghe An, the Sa mu dau tree appears in the area of ​​3 communes Nam Giai, Hanh Dich, Tri Le (Que Phong) where the altitude above sea level ranges from 1,200 m to 1,800 m. The number of Sa mu dau trees distributed here can initially be divided into 7 areas with the number of up to thousands of trees.

In those sa mu dau forest areas, 56 trees have just been honored as Vietnam Heritage Trees. Specifically: Huoi Cham stream area, plot 4, 5 sub-area 60 Hanh Dich commune has 36 trees; Huoi Co Khuong stream area, plot 19, sub-area 59 Hanh Dich commune has 18 trees; Huoi Hap stream area, plot 2, sub-area 61 Hanh Dich commune has 2 trees. Of the total 56 trees, the tree with the largest diameter is 3.7m, the average diameter is 2.01m; the top height of the tallest trees is 60m, the shortest is 40m, the average top height of the 56 trees is 46.25m.

The Indian cypress tree in the Indian cypress forest in Que Phong.

In terms of morphology, the Sa Mu Dau tree is a large, evergreen tree that can grow up to more than 50 m high, with a trunk diameter of more than 3 m. Some individuals have a diameter of more than 5.0 m, with a pyramid-shaped canopy. The leaves grow in a very dense spiral, with a twisted base, so they are arranged more or less in 2 rows, strip-shaped, 2 - 3 cm long, 0.25 cm wide, tapering to a blunt tip, not hard at the tip, slightly serrated on both edges of the leaf and have 2 rows of air holes mainly on the underside.

The wood of the Sa Mu Dau tree belongs to group I, has beautiful grain, is easy to process, and has vertical wood grain. In particular, the wood of this tree has the ability to withstand sun and rain very well. The wood exudes a gentle fragrance, has the ability to repel flies and mosquitoes, and is used to make cosmetics and perfumes.

Because of the above characteristics, in the past, people exploited the Sa Mu wood intensively, but now there is not much left. The Sa Mu Dau tree is identified as a precious wood that needs to be preserved.

The Indian laurel tree is usually distributed at an altitude of 1,400m to 1,800m. (Photo: Nhat Lan).

Sa mu dau is a tree species closely associated with the life of the ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas and is a cultural feature of the highland people. In the life of the people here, the Mong and Thai people use Sa mu dau wood to make roofs, house panels, fences, and household appliances. In the concept of the ethnic minorities in the highlands, the wood of this tree is also a spiritual symbol, eliminating evil spirits, curing diseases, helping the body to detoxify, circulating blood, preventing prickly heat, and helping the mind to be alert.

Regarding culture, the Mong people in Tri Le commune and the Thai people in Nam Giai, Hanh Dich, and Thong Thu communes still preserve the cultural features associated with the Sa Mu Dau tree through the preservation and maintenance of stilt houses and earthen houses with roofs thatched with Sa Mu Dau, such as the area of ​​8 Mong villages in Tri Le (Que Phong), ancient Thai villages such as Na Xai and Hua Muong in Hanh Dich commune, Puc village and Meo village in Nam Giai commune.

1 of 5 hornbeam trees recognized as Vietnam heritage trees in Nghe An.

In addition to the population of Sa Mu Dau, in Pu Hoat Nature Reserve there is also a population of Sang trees which have just been honored as heritage trees.

Sang vi also has another name Phay kong, Cho phay has the scientific name: Duabanga grandiflora (Roxb. ex DC.) Walp. Family: Sonneratiaceae. In Pu Hoat, Phay kong population is concentrated in block 9, sub-zone 59 in Hanh Dich commune, distributed in an area of ​​20 hectares, the distribution altitude here has an absolute altitude above sea level of 850m.

This is a large tree species, over 30m high, some trees up to 50-60m, diameter can be larger than 2.0m, tree base has buttresses, trunk is straight, round, height below branch 20-25m. Smooth bark is pinkish gray or white gray. Branches are forked horizontally, branch tips drooping, young branches have edges...

The banyan tree can grow to over 50m tall.

The tree belongs to group 6 wood, however, because the wood is easy to process and has many features. Being a tree species closely associated with the cultural life of the people of Western Nghe An in daily life as well as in spirituality, Sang Vi has long been hunted by people. In particular, this wood species is considered by the ethnic people to be a precious tree, used to make the best coffins with the word of mouth 'first Sang Vi, second Lua wood'.

The recognition of these rare and precious trees as heritage trees is not only the pride of Nghe An, Que Phong district and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve but also the common joy of the local community. It is known that in the coming time, the authorities will organize the protection and conservation of the genetic resources of these rare trees.

Ho Phuong