It is listed in the Red Book and is the largest tree in Vietnam.

Core zone of Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Bui Hao.

Pu Mat National Park has an area of 94,804 hectares. This special-use forest spreads over 3 districts: Tuong Duong, Con Cuong and Anh Son, Nghe An province. Pu Mat in Thai means high slopes. Pu Mat National Park is also identified as the core area of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO in 2007. This place has beautiful natural scenery with majestic waterfalls. In particular, Pu Mat National Park is very biodiverse with thousands of species of plants and animals.

At the upstream of Khe Bu, there is a 2,000-year-old cajuput tree. This cajuput tree was discovered by a group of biodiversity experts in 1998. According to Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong - Director of Pu Mat National Park: "The cajuput tree belongs to the Cupressaceae family. The Thai ethnic people in Con Cuong district call this tree the May Pec tree. The cajuput tree has lived for more than 2,000 years, is currently 70m tall, and has a trunk diameter of 5.5m. The tree has a trunk circumference of 23.7m, and is considered the largest cajuput tree in Vietnam today."

“The Sa Mu Dau tree is listed in the Vietnam Red Book 2007 and is classified at VU level (endangered species). This is a rare tree with a narrow distribution and is facing a high risk of extinction, and is included in the list of priority plants for conservation,” Mr. Cuong added.

Also according to Mr. Cuong: The discovery of the Sa Mu Dau tree and its conservation, once again proves that the primary forest of Pu Mat National Park has many mysteries about its conservation value, and at the same time, it needs to be researched and strictly protected. Therefore, every 3 months, we send a group of staff to the location of this Sa Mu tree to inspect, each inspection takes a total of 6 days round trip.

2,000-year-old Indian laurel tree, 70m high and 5.5m in diameter. Photo: Bui Hao.

Sa mu dau is a rare genetic resource belonging to group 1A in the List of endangered and rare forest plants and animals and is recorded in the Vietnam Red Book. This tree species is not only of scientific significance but also has very high economic value. Sa mu dau wood is a precious, durable, termite-resistant wood with a characteristic scent and beautiful wood grain. Sa mu dau is facing the threat of extinction and needs priority in conservation work. Currently, Sa mu dau tree is strictly protected by Pu Mat National Park. Sa mu tree is mainly distributed in the primeval forests along the Vietnam - Laos border.

Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong said: In October 2010, the Vietnamese Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) certified the Vietnamese Samu Dau tree in Pu Mat National Park as a "Vietnam Heritage Tree" that needs to be preserved and its genetic resources developed. According to Mr. Cuong, the population of the Vietnamese Samu Dau tree is being protected in the best way to serve the conservation and development of the precious genetic resources of this tree species.

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