The sterile yew tree is on the verge of extinction, listed in the Red Book, only grows in Dak Lak, and is stolen as soon as it is seen.

Why do many people seek to buy cedar wood and Red Book wood?

Yew tree has the scientific name Glyptostrobus pensilis, belongs to group IA, an endemic species listed in the Vietnam Red Book, is at risk of extinction and is classified as needing strict protection.

This precious timber tree species lives mainly in swamps, with only a few living at high altitudes.

In Vietnam, only in Dak Lak province is there the yew tree - the Red Book tree, with a total of 162 trees.

In Vietnam, this rare and precious tree species, listed in the Red Book, is only found in Dak Lak province with a total of 162 trees distributed in two natural populations: Ea Ral commune, Ea H'leo district with 142 trees; Krong Nang district with 19 trees and 1 tree in Buon Ho town, with a total area of ​​124.7 hectares.

In this rare tree population, there are ancient yew trees nearly 700 years old. These yew trees are considered "treasures" of the nation, a precious natural heritage.

Notably, until now, scientists in the world in general and Vietnam in particular, no one knows how the water fern is born.

Because although the tree has flowers and fruits, the fruits do not have ovules, leading to a state of "sterility". This is also the reason why for many years, the staff of the Management Board of the Pine Habitat Conservation Area (under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province) have never discovered young pine trees during the management process.

Unique population of yew trees in Ea Ral commune, Ea H'leo district, Dak Lak province. This tree species listed in the Red Book is assessed to be in a "sterile state, unable to give birth" and therefore at high risk of extinction.

The ancient yew tree is nearly 700 years old.

Mr. Vo Thanh Tam, Director of the Management Board of the Pine Habitat Conservation Area, said that there is a lot of information that says that water pine has the ability to cure cancer and kill mosquitoes. According to folk beliefs, statues or decorative items made from water pine wood have the effect of bringing peace and luck to the family.

However, in reality, this is not the case. Yew has scientific value, has a distinctive aroma, is not susceptible to termites and has a very beautiful core grain. The longer the dry tree is submerged in water, the core grain changes from yellow to a unique green.

Rare Red Book - carelessness and it will be stolen

Thinking that the water pine is a lucrative bait, many people have tried to break into the Water Pine Species Conservation Area to hunt for this rare tree species.

Typically, in 2014, taking advantage of a rainy night, a bad guy sneaked into the forest and climbed up to cut a yew tree. As soon as the forest rangers heard the noise, they ran out but the guy had already escaped.

Then, in the early morning of May 19, 2017, another group broke into the Thong Nuoc Habitat Conservation Area to cut a section of the top of a 300-year-old yew tree. Fortunately, the forest protection force promptly discovered and arrested one subject, then continued to arrest 6 more related subjects.

Many guard towers were built in the middle of the forest to support patrolling and protecting the yew population.

Two subjects Nguyen Quoc Phong and Ngo Le Hoang Phong and the related evidence of cedar wood. (Photo: Provided by the police).

To protect the remaining yew trees, the Management Board of the Pine Habitat Conservation Area has made constant efforts to overcome difficulties, staying under the forest canopy regardless of sun, rain or darkness.

During the holidays, patrols are intensified. Many guard posts and pontoon bridges have been erected in the middle of the forest to help protect the "treasure" from bad guys.

The tireless efforts of the Management Board of the Pine Habitat Conservation Area have made an important contribution to the conservation of the rare pine species.

At the same time, gradually help local people raise awareness of the value of the unique forest. Since then, the encroachment of the cedar forest has decreased significantly.

Dak Lak police have temporarily seized 80 clumps of yew wood roots and branches to serve the investigation. (Photo: Provided by the police).

On October 24, 2024, Ea H'Leo District Police (Dak Lak Province) announced that they had prosecuted Nguyen Quoc Phong (born in 1991) and Ngo Le Hoang Phong (born in 2003), both residing in Ea Ral Commune, Ea H'Leo District) to investigate the crime of "Violating regulations on forest exploitation and protection and forest products".

Previously, on October 3, Ea H'Leo District Police in coordination with Ea H'Leo - Krong Buk Forest Protection Department discovered 80 stumps, roots, and branches on Nguyen Quoc Phong's land plot (in Hamlet 3, Ea Ral Commune, Ea H'Leo District). Through measurement, the police determined the total volume to be 3,245.10 kg, equivalent to 3.245 m3.

Phong admitted that it was cedar wood. Nguyen Quoc Phong and Ngo Le Hoang Phong bought this wood from some local people and then brought it back to carve and craft into handicraft products to sell. Nguyen Quoc Phong also created 2 accounts for Ngo Le Hoang Phong to advertise, livestream and sell these products on the social network TikTok.

Source: https://danviet.vn/cay-thuy-tung-vo-sinh-sap-tuyet-chung-co-trong-sach-do-chi-moc-o-dak-lak-he-senh-ra-la-bi-trom-20241024102908034.htm