200-year-old cycad tree in Ben Tre is a heritage tree

(CLO) A cycad tree about 200 years old in Ben Tre has just been recognized as a Heritage Tree by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment.

The ceremony to announce the Decision to recognize the cycad tree as a Vietnamese heritage tree at Phu Nhuan communal house, Phu Nhuan commune (Ben Tre city, Ben Tre province) took place on January 10.

According to heritage records, although the exact time the cycad tree appeared at Phu Nhuan communal house has not been determined, according to the elders in the area, when Phu Nhuan communal house was first restored in 1911, this tree was already in the communal house grounds and was over 100 years old.

The cycad tree at Phu Nhuan communal house is 6m high, has a canopy of 6m, and the circumference of the trunk at a height of 1.3m above the ground is 3.2m. Photo: PLO

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Cong Thuan (Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment), the cycad tree, also known as the cycad tree, is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also has profound meaning in Vietnamese culture.

With its strong shape and enduring vitality, the cycad tree is considered a symbol of prosperity, luck and longevity. After reviewing the tree's profile, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment officially recognized the Phu Nhuan temple cycad tree as a Vietnamese heritage tree from January 2, 2025.

The selection and honoring of the ancient cycad tree not only aims to preserve the precious and typical genetic resources of our country, introduce the richness and diversity of Vietnamese flora to international friends, but also promote and enhance the cultural values of the community, contributing to the development of eco-tourism and spiritual tourism in Ben Tre province.

Currently, this cycad tree is 6m high, 6m wide, the circumference of the trunk at a height of 1.3m above the ground is 3.2m, diameter is 1.4m. The trunk from the base to 2m high has only one branch, from 2m and up the tree divides into 2 branches, from these 2 branches divide into 10 tips, each tip has a circumference of 0.5 - 0.8m.

The tree grows well, is pest-free, and has no parasitic plants or fungi. In particular, the tree is resistant to disease during its growth, and no pests or mealybugs are detected. Every year, the tree blooms in the spring, contributing to the creation of a particularly sacred landscape for Phu Nhuan communal house.

Thus, up to now, Ben Tre has had 6 trees recognized as heritage trees; of which, Ben Tre city alone has 2 trees: an ancient white mai tree over 300 years old at Phu Tu communal house, Phu Hung commune and a cycad tree at Phu Nhuan communal house.

Over the years, the Heritage Tree Council has reviewed and recognized more than 7,000 trees that meet the standards of Vietnam's heritage trees, belonging to 135 species, distributed in 55 provinces and cities from Ha Giang to the southernmost tip of Ca Mau Cape, from the high mountains of Truong Son to Truong Sa.

Among them, the oldest trees recorded in Vietnam at 2,200 years old are two tau trees, dating back to the time of An Duong Vuong in Viet Tri (Phu Tho province).

T.Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cay-thien-tue-200-tuoi-o-ben-tre-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cay-di-san-post329868.html