The story of hundred-year-old durian trees

Locals and tourists enjoy watching the hundred-year-old durian tree in Ea Yong commune, Krong Pac district.

Priceless treasure

Owning a hundred-year-old durian tree, these days, Mr. Le Van Thanh's family, Tan Lap village, Ea Yong commune, a member of the Clean Agriculture Cooperative, Krong Pac district, regularly welcomes groups of visitors. Leading us to visit the hundred-year-old durian tree, Mr. Thanh proudly boasted: For me, this ancient durian tree is a priceless treasure. It not only has economic significance but also historical value, marking the appearance of a specialty fruit tree in the Central Highlands.

In 1977, Mr. Thanh followed his father to the red basalt land, starting a business on the vast land of coffee. At that time, people mainly monocultured coffee, with a few tall, shady durian trees located between the coffee plots. In his family's garden, there was a very large durian tree, which still blossomed and bore fruit every year, with an average yield of several hundred kilograms of fruit each year.

In the district, there are currently 13 facilities that pack fresh fruit for export that have been granted codes and are operating.

Mr. Thanh shared: Although the exact age of the tree has not been determined, but with the big eye sockets and the story told by the previous generation, this durian tree is about 100 years old. Each year the tree produces hundreds of fruits, each weighing about 2kg, although the seeds are large, the shell is thin, the flesh is thick, yellow, very fragrant and fatty. To keep the old durian tree healthy and green, I always take special care, closely monitor and promptly handle pests and diseases.

In addition to this hundred-year-old durian tree, Tan Lap village still has two other ancient durian trees, attracting many tourists to visit and take souvenir photos. During harvest season, tourists can enjoy durian right under the tree.

Tourists come to visit and take souvenir photos under the ancient durian tree.

Historical value

In 2022, the fresh durian product of Krong Pac district was granted Certificate No. 413207 by the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Science and Technology, certifying the registration of the Trademark "KRONG PAC DURIAN KRONG PAC DURIAN" for the collective Farmers' Association of Krong Pac district (Decision No. 16552/QD-STT, dated March 8, 2022).

Krong Pac is one of the locations chosen by the French to plant the first durian trees on the Red Soil Plateau. Currently, in the district there are still some durian trees that are over 100 years old, several dozen meters high, with a wide canopy and a trunk that is large enough for 2-3 people to hug. These ancient durian trees have contributed significantly to changing the crop structure of the people in the area.

Looking back to the origin of the ancient durian tree, Mr. Mai Dinh Tho, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Clean Agriculture Cooperative, Krong Pac District shared: The cooperative has 3 ancient durian trees planted by the French during the colonial exploitation period, including 1 durian tree that is over 100 years old. During that period, coffee plantations spread throughout the region, this ancient durian tree was planted along the border of the coffee garden. The national historical site CADA Plantation in Ea Yong Commune, Krong Pac District is the earliest plantation established during the second colonial exploitation of French colonialists in Indochina, which is historical evidence.

Durian trees in Krong Pac district have made an important contribution to the transformation of crop structure in the district. Up to now, durian trees are playing an important role in agricultural production, bringing high profits and incomes to local people.

Durian has become a key crop bringing high economic efficiency to the people of Dak Lak.

From a secondary crop, durian has become a main crop. Currently, Krong Pac district has the largest durian area in Dak Lak province with more than 7,000 hectares, of which 2,015 hectares of durian are granted export growing area codes, a total of 34 codes. In the district, there are currently 13 facilities for packing fresh fruit for export that have been granted operating codes.

Secretary of the Krong Pac District Party Committee Tran Hong Tien emphasized: The district has 35 ethnic groups living together, of which ethnic minorities account for 36.49% of the population. Initially, people grew durian only for their families and as gifts for relatives. Now, Krong Pac durian has spread across five continents. The hundred-year-old durian trees in the district not only bring economic value, but also contribute to promoting the industry.

Exciting Durian Festival in Krong Pac, Dak Lak

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/chuyen-ve-nhung-cay-sau-rieng-tram-tuoi-1728635061452.htm