Culture - Sports

Dak Lak: camphor trees receive national heritage status

Two Long nao trees, scientifically known as Cinnamomum Camphora, at Bao Dai Palace in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak officially received the Vietnam Heritage Tree title at a ceremony on December 17.
Two Long nao trees, scientifically known as Cinnamomum Camphora, at BaoDai Palace in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak officiallyreceived the Vietnam Heritage Tree title at a ceremony on December 17.

Thetwo trees, 2.5m in diameter and nearly 30m in height, were recognisedby the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment(VACNE) thanks to their historical values as they were planted in the1930s at the palace of Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam.

In2011, the VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam HeritageTrees, aiming to select and honour the country’s heritage trees in a bidto conserve their gene sources, while raising public awareness ofprotecting the environment.

It alsocontributes to promoting the diversification and abundance of Vietnam’sflora as well as developing scientific research in the field.

To win the honour, the trees must be atleast 200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 yearsfor those planted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with thehistorical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow.

Those which do not meetthe aforesaid criteria yet have special values in science, history orculture, will also earn recognition.

The number of recognised heritage trees is currently around 700.-VNA
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