(Baonghean.vn)– The oldest people in Tin Pu village, Quang Phong commune (Que Phong) said that when they were born, they saw the Barringtonia acutangula tree. The tree is about 19 m high. The diameter is enough for 2 adults to hug.
 |
| This special tree is about 19m high, with a base circumference of 320cm and a diameter of 1.6m. In the photo: A young volunteer takes a souvenir photo with the hundred-year-old "Mung tree". Photo: Hung Cuong |
Tin Pu village (called the village at the foot of the slope in Thai) in Quang Phong commune, Que Phong (Nghe An) is about 1km from National Highway 48D. At the end of the village, next to the rice fields, there is an ancient Barringtonia acutangula tree (also called Mung) standing tall and separate from the other trees. On the trunk, from the large and small branches hang down strings of bright red flowers, looking very beautiful and impressive. At the base, countless fallen flowers have created a carpet with a mixture of the green of young rice and the bright red of Barringtonia acutangula.
 |
| Although it is an old tree, the Barringtonia acutangula tree still produces many flowers. Photo: Hung Cuong |
The tree is about 19m high, with a base circumference of 320cm and a diameter of 1.6m. The tree's base is rough and hollow over time. Mr. Luong Van Net, who is nearly 100 years old this year, one of the oldest people in Tin Pu village, said: "When I was born, the Barringtonia tree was already like this. I asked the previous generations but no one knew when the tree was born. They, like me, were born to see a big tree in the village. The elders still say that this tree must be over a hundred years old."
 |
| The Barringtonia acutangula tree is located at the end of Tin Pu village, on the edge of the rice field and close to Mr. Luong Van Banh's house. Photo: Hung Cuong |
 |
| The fallen flowers of the Indian cork tree make the field look like a carpet. Photo: Hung Cuong |
Mr. Luong Van Bang, 80 years old, lives next to the ancient Barringtonia tree and shared: “My family and I have been taking care of and protecting the tree for a long time. No one can say exactly how old the tree is, but everyone believes that this tree is over a hundred years old.”
 |
| The ancient Barringtonia tree is isolated from other trees. Photo: Hung Cuong |
 |
| The trunk of the Barringtonia acutangula tree has many mistletoe plants living on it. Photo: Hung Cuong |
Tin Pu villagers said that many collectors of ancient trees as well as bonsai traders have come to the village to ask to buy the Barringtonia acutangula tree, but the villagers refused to sell it. Mr. Lo Van Phu - Head of Tin Pu village said: "More than a month ago, someone from the North came to ask and offered 400 million VND. The village management board held a meeting with the villagers and decided not to sell even if they were offered 1 billion VND. The village only agreed to "exchange" the Barringtonia acutangula tree on the condition that the buyer had to widen the 1km road from National Highway 48D to the village, and at the same time build traffic culverts so that cars could enter and exit the village, making it convenient for people to travel, and included 60 million VND for the village to pay the caretaker and buy buffaloes and cows for the festival".
 |
| The Barringtonia acutangula tree is hollowed out by the passage of time. Photo: Hung Cuong |
 |
| Tin Pu village, Quang Phong commune, where there is an ancient Barringtonia tree. Photo: Hung Cuong |
Mr. Phu also said that there was a person who agreed to the conditions set by Tin Pu village, but was stuck in the compensation for 2 households whose land area was related to the road expansion. So after a period of unsuccessful negotiations, the customer has not returned. "There are many people who asked to buy the Barringtonia acutangula tree for 200, 300, 400 million VND, but the villagers did not sell," said Mr. Phu.
Hung Cuong
