Searching for the "superior tree" in the evergreen forest.

Simply put, a "superior tree" is a tree that possesses outstanding characteristics compared to other trees of the same species in a population, according to the criteria required for each breeding objective. For the members of the group searching for "superior trees," just seeing a tall tree towering amidst the dense, dark forest ignites a glimmer of hope. After many treks through the forest and wading through streams, the group only found six "superior" mahogany trees among the 43,000 hectares of forest in the Dakrong Nature Reserve.

Searching for the

Dr. Vu Duc Binh at the mahogany tree nursery of the North Central Forestry Science Center - Photo: SH

Clearing branches, venturing into the forest to find the tall, slender tree.

Having just returned from a trip to the Vân Kiều and Pa Kô ethnic minority villages in the buffer zone of the Dakrông Nature Reserve to encourage and educate people to participate in forest protection, Cao Văn Nhiễm, an employee of the Communication and Service Department of the Dakrông Nature Reserve Management Board, became enthusiastic when mentioning his trips to find "superior trees." He said that searching for "superior trees" in the old-growth forest involved many interesting experiences that few people have the opportunity to have. Many tree species in the evergreen forests of the Dakrông Nature Reserve have the potential to become "superior trees."

Not long ago, Mr. Nhiem, along with a team searching for "exceptional trees" including forest rangers, staff from the Dakrong Nature Reserve Management Board, and scientists from the North Central Forestry Science Center, embarked on a two-day and two-night expedition to search for mahogany trees in sub-areas 821, 825 A, and 849 (within the administrative boundaries of Trieu Nguyen and Ba Long communes, Dakrong district).

Nhiem recalled that, in preparation for a trip into the forest lasting several days, the first thing the search team had to do was gather information about the *Gmelina arborea* tree from forest protection organizations as well as people in the buffer zone communes of the Dakrong Nature Reserve.

Once they have information about the presence of a mahogany tree that could be a potential "superior" candidate, the search team will plan a specific route and forest area where they will conduct the search.

Mahogany is classified as a rare and valuable wood with many uses, characterized by its dark brown color, resistance to termites, and suitability for high-end furniture making, construction, and shipbuilding. In terms of conservation value, mahogany belongs to group IIA and is listed in the Vietnamese Red Book. Mahogany trees are abundant in natural forests in the northeastern provinces, the central coastal region, and the Central Highlands.

Before setting off, the group had to prepare food, provisions, tarpaulins, hammocks, maps, GPS devices, compasses... everything had to be neatly packed in backpacks. Starting at 4-5 a.m., when the forests of the Dakrong Nature Reserve were still silent and devoid of the sounds of animals and birds, the group began clearing branches to make their way through the forest.

They diligently walked under the dense canopy of the old forest or followed the flow of the stream to find reeds until about noon, then set up camp to cook rice. After eating and resting until the afternoon, the group continued their journey.

Each expedition into the forest to find "exceptional trees" usually lasts about 2-3 days and nights. "It's common to go on trips lasting several days deep in the forest and not find any trees. But there are also trips where we find dozens of promising mahogany trees that are likely to be 'exceptional trees'."

Screening and selection for breeding and conservation.

Following the initial search, scientists from the North Central Forestry Science Center carried out a rigorous screening and selection process. During that trip, dozens of mahogany trees were found, but only six "superior" mahogany trees were selected in sub-areas 821, 825A, and 849.

Besides the Dalbergia tonkinensis, there are many other valuable timber species in the Dakrong Nature Reserve that could become "superior trees" for propagation and conservation in the not-too-distant future. The trips to find these "superior trees" and specimens are quite arduous and difficult, but perhaps because our love for the mountains, forests, and wildlife is so deeply ingrained in us, all the fatigue disappears as soon as we find them. And every time we set foot in the forest, we truly appreciate its pristine beauty, which makes us love the forest even more," Nhiem told me.

Searching for the

"Superior" mahogany trees were found in sub-areas 821, 825A, and 849 - Photo: Provided by the North Central Forestry Science Center

According to Dr. Vu Duc Binh, Deputy Director of the North Central Forestry Science Center: With the goal of exploiting and sustainably developing valuable plant genetic resources with high economic and conservation value, contributing to the development of the forest economy in the central coastal provinces, scientists at the center have received approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology for the project "Research on the exploitation and development of genetic resources of Sindora tonkinensis A. Chev. Ex K. & SS Larsen in some central coastal provinces".

The project will be implemented from 2023 to 2025. To carry out the project, the North Central Forestry Science Center conducted a search for *Gmelina arborea* trees in five central provinces: Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam . *Gmelina arborea* (also known as *Gmelina arborea*, *Gmelina arborea*, *Gmelina arborea*, *Gmelina arborea*, *Gmelina arborea*) is a rare and valuable large timber tree in Vietnam. *Gmelina arborea* trees reach a height of 25-30 meters; the trunk diameter can exceed 1 meter and is uniformly round.

As a result, through a scoring method based on growth indicators, trunk straightness, branch size, and tree health, the North Central Forestry Science Center selected 78 mahogany trees from 134 "superior" candidates. Of these, Ha Tinh province had 12 trees, Quang Binh had 25 trees; Quang Tri had 15 trees, Thua Thien - Hue had 10 trees, and Quang Nam had 16 trees.

The selected "superior" mahogany trees from 5 provinces all grew and developed well, with relatively high overall trunk quality scores ranging from 13 to 15 points per tree. The selected mahogany trees have had their fruits and seeds harvested for propagation and the establishment of a collection garden combined with variety testing by the end of 2024, contributing to the exploitation and development of the genetic resources of this rare plant species in the Central region.

In Quang Tri province alone, the North Central Forestry Science Center conducted the selection of *Gmelina arborea* trees at Ru Linh (Vinh Linh district) and the Dakrong Nature Reserve. At Ru Linh, 19 *Gmelina arborea* trees were selected as prospective specimens; at the Dakrong Nature Reserve, 12 trees were selected. After processing and analyzing the data, the center selected 15 "superior" *Gmelina arborea* trees (9 from Ru Linh and 6 from the Dakrong Nature Reserve). The *Gmelina arborea* trees selected in Quang Tri province all have straight, round, untwisted trunks, small branches, are growing well, are free from pests and diseases, and have already flowered and borne fruit...

Based on the initial results, the project will continue until the end of December 2025. This will focus on analyzing genetic diversity; establishing a 2-hectare collection garden combined with variety trials in Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces (1 hectare per province); and establishing a 10-hectare research area on intensive cultivation techniques for large timber using the genetic resources of the *Gmelina arborea* tree in Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces (an average of 5 hectares per province).

“The selection of 78 ‘superior’ mahogany trees for good management and protection is a high-quality source of seeds for harvesting and propagation to serve the planting of large timber forests; contributing to the exploitation and development of rare native tree genetic resources for the coastal provinces of Central Vietnam,” added Dr. Vu Duc Binh.

Sy Hoang

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