The ancient communal house owns the most Heritage trees in Ninh Binh

With 4 ancient trees recently recognized as Vietnam Heritage trees, an ancient communal house in Nho Quan district owns the largest number of Heritage trees in Ninh Binh .

The communal house of Yen Chi village, Thuong Hoa commune, Nho Quan district, has just been recognized by the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment as having 4 Heritage Trees, including 2 Barringtonia trees, 1 Terminalia catappa tree, and 1 Bodhi tree, all over 200 years old.

The banyan tree, reaching a height of approximately 18 meters, has a canopy covering an area of about 200 square meters, resembling a mound of rice. The Bodhi tree has a trunk diameter of nearly 2 meters and is over 20 meters tall. The two Barringtonia trees have wide, spreading canopies covering an area of 52-80 square meters, with rounded canopies 7-9 meters in diameter. Currently, these ancient trees in the grounds of Yen Chi village communal house are still thriving.

Mr. Vu Van Sinh, head of Yen Chi village, Thuong Hoa commune, said: "No one remembers exactly when these trees were planted, we only know that when we were children we saw them standing majestically in front of the communal house. These 'ancient trees' have special significance, witnessing the daily changes of the countryside. Therefore, for generations, people have passed down the tradition of caring for and protecting these ancient trees, preserving the landscape of the village communal house."

The recognition of the four Heritage Trees within the grounds of Yen Chi village communal house is of significant importance in preserving and protecting the ecosystem and environment, as well as honoring and promoting the cultural and spiritual values of the local people.

The ancient communal house owns the most Heritage trees in Ninh Binh — The village communal house management board regularly takes care of and waters the trees (in the picture is a banyan tree recognized as a Heritage tree).

According to Mr. Trinh Van Thu, of the Village Temple Management Board: Yen Chi Village Temple has a history of several hundred years. The temple was established to worship the Three Saints of Tan Thanh: Quy Minh Dai Vuong, Tan Vien Son Thanh, and Cao Son Dai Vuong, who are high-ranking deities with important roles in Vietnamese beliefs, supporting the people to be prosperous and happy, and the country to be peaceful .

During the resistance war, this place was an important revolutionary base that contributed to the overall victory of the nation. Here, the village self-defense team was established, revolutionary leaflets were distributed, and military training and planning were conducted.

Currently, the communal house has become the center of cultural, religious, and spiritual activities for the people of Yen Chi village and the surrounding area. Due to its valuable historical significance, in 2022, the communal house was recognized as a provincial-level historical relic.

Despite centuries of changes over time and wars, the communal house still retains its unique landscape and architecture. In addition, many relics of the kings, incense burners, ancestral tablets, ancient royal chests, etc., are still preserved to this day.

A representative from the temple management board added: "To protect and preserve the trees in the temple grounds in general, and the four Heritage Trees in particular, the temple management board has assigned its members the responsibility of regularly monitoring, watering, and maintaining the landscape. In addition, we also encourage the local people to work together to protect the trees so that they can endure for future generations."

According to Mr. Quach Mai Hong, Chairman of the Provincial Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment, Heritage Trees are not simply ancient trees, but also historical and cultural witnesses of the country and the nation that need to be honored and protected. With the four trees recently recognized, Yen Chi communal house now possesses the most Heritage Trees in the province.

Ninh Binh currently has about 20 ancient trees that have been recognized as Vietnamese Heritage Trees. Among them are many trees of great age, such as the over 700-year-old persimmon tree at Phu Long village communal house, Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district; the over 500-year-old persimmon tree and the nearly 250-year-old banyan tree at Hung Long pagoda (Ninh Nhat commune, Ninh Binh city);…

To be recognized as a "Heritage Tree," it must meet criteria such as: the tree must be over 100 years old, tall and majestic, have a distinctive shape, and possess landscape, cultural, and historical value.

Text and photos: Minh Hai

Source