Ancient Lagerstroemia tree in the upper Gianh River

Standing majestically on the road leading to Ke village, Lam Hoa commune, the ancient Lagerstroemia tree, hundreds of years old, is protected by the locals and considered a treasure of the village. In early summer, the tree blooms, opening light purple buds, gently showing off its color, creating a romantic and charming beauty.

Ms. Cao Thi Van, Head of Ke village, said that villagers and students on their way to school all come here to rest under the shade of the old Lagerstroemia tree. This is also an ideal place for tourists to rest and relax under the cool green foliage before stepping onto the lovely suspension bridge over Gianh river to enter the village. "From foreign tourists to Vietnamese people, everyone who comes here admires and praises the beauty and majesty of this ancient Lagerstroemia tree," Ms. Van proudly said.

The tree stump is about 2m in diameter and is a place for locals and tourists to rest.

In Tuyen Hoa, Lagerstroemia trees often grow in the upper reaches of Gianh River. However, it is not easy to find a large ancient Lagerstroemia tree like in Ban Ke, Lam Hoa Commune. The tree is about 40m tall, with luxuriant branches and leaves, and a base diameter of about 2m. At a height of more than 2m from the ground, the tree splits into two trunks and many branches spread out in all directions.

According to village elder Cao Van Ngu in Ke village, for the Ma Lieng people (Chut ethnic group), ancient trees are where the forest god resides, so no one is allowed to touch them, otherwise they will be reprimanded. That is also the reason why in Ke village, in addition to the above-mentioned Lagerstroemia tree, there are many other ancient trees that have not been cut down or damaged. When building houses or doing anything that requires wood, the villagers only use small trees; when entering the forest, the Ma Lieng people have a convention to limit the cutting of trees to the lowest level if not necessary, and when taking anything from the forest, they must pray to the forest god. And the place to send those prayers is the roots of ancient trees.

The ancient Lagerstroemia trees in Ke village are not only rich in biology but also deeply attached to the lives and souls of the people here. With a strong shape, cool green branches and beautiful purple flowers, the ancient Lagerstroemia trees have become a symbol of longevity, the connection between people and nature, a symbol of love and sustainability. Looking at the clusters of light purple flowers blooming amidst the majestic mountains, people cannot help but be impressed by the wild, rustic but equally precious beauty.

The ancient Lagerstroemia tree has become a symbol of longevity and the connection between humans and nature.

According to locals, the ancient Lagerstroemia tree next to the road to Ke village, Lam Hoa commune is at least 100 years old. This is a naturally growing forest tree that has been protected by locals and still exists today.

Mr. Dinh Van Bac, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Lam Hoa Commune (Tuyen Hoa) said: Currently, the locality is planning to build Ke village into a model cultural village. In addition to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the Ma Lieng and Chut ethnic groups, the commune also promotes investment in building infrastructure in harmony with the natural landscape, increasing tree planting, and promoting forest protection with the hope that Ke village will become a community tourism destination in the future.

With its unique beauty and profound meaning, the ancient Lagerstroemia tree in Ke village, Lam Hoa commune will become an indispensable part of the culture and life of the local people, an important highlight for visitors when setting foot on this land.

Van Tu

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/van-hoa/202505/cay-bang-lang-co-thu-o-thuong-nguon-song-gianh-2226159/