700-year-old banyan tree recognized as heritage tree

Ha Tinh: The more than 700-year-old banyan tree in Kim Hoa commune, Huong Son district, associated with the legend of King Le Loi fighting the Ming invaders, is recognized as a Vietnamese heritage tree.

The decision was issued by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment and announced on May 30.

The fig tree in the residential area of ​​Kim Son hamlet, Kim Hoa commune, Huong Son district, was determined by Ha Tinh authorities to be over 700 years old. The tree is about 20 meters tall, with luxuriant branches and leaves, the bark has many lumps, rough veins, and the trunk circumference is about 10 meters. The tree's base is hollow, 4-5 people can hide inside. In season, the tree always bears fruit.

According to legend, in 1424, while facing difficulties in fighting the Ming army, Le Loi had to move to the Thien Nhan mountain area (bordering Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces) to wait for an opportunity.

The star apple tree is planted in a home garden in Kim Son village, Kim Hoa commune. Photo: Duc Hung

Once, being chased by the Ming army, Le Loi fled to the mountains of Huong Son district and hid in this banyan tree. While searching for the leader of the Lam Son insurgents, the hunting dogs barked continuously around the banyan tree. The Ming army used swords and spears to stab the tree, injuring Le Loi, who had to endure the pain. Suddenly, a white fox ran out from the tree hole to distract the hunting dogs and the enemy, thanks to which Le Loi escaped.

In 1425, upon hearing that the leader of the Coc Son uprising, Nguyen Tuan Thien, was inciting an uprising in the Huong Son mountains, Le Loi sought him out and recruited his troops, becoming sworn brothers. After that, the two of them killed a white horse, cut their hair, and swore an oath under an ancient banyan tree, expressing their determination to fight the foreign invaders together.

The bark has many lumps, rough veins, and a hollow place at the base. Photo: Duc Hung

After defeating the Ming army, Le Loi ascended the throne, and Nguyen Tuan Thien was honored as the founding hero. From then on, the local people called the tree "The Historical Thi Tree" or "The Thi Tree of Oath" and passed down a poem about this historical anecdote: "Cutting hair, killing a white horse/ Under the Thi tree, swearing/ Wishing to be of one mind and heart/ To defeat the enemy and build a foundation".

Mr. Phan Van Doai, Chairman of Kim Hoa Commune, said that the recognition of Vietnam heritage trees not only helps protect biodiversity and the richness of the flora, but also promotes the local cultural history. In the near future, the government will have better protection policies so that the trees can last forever.

Heritage trees are trees that are over 100 years old for cultivated trees and over 200 years old for natural trees; have one or more values ​​in terms of landscape, environment, science, culture, history... proposed by the community, registered by the tree owner, recognized by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment and are best preserved to the best of their ability.

Duc Hung

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/cay-thi-700-tuoi-duoc-cong-nhan-cay-di-san-4611255.html