This is a nearly 1,000-year-old green lim tree remaining from the Thanh Hoa old forest, the ancient tree is over 50m tall.

Standing majestically on the border between Xuan Khang commune (Nhu Thanh district) and Tan Binh commune (Nhu Xuan district) in Thanh Hoa province, a nearly thousand-year-old green lim tree is considered by the Thai ethnic people as a "treasure" remaining from the old forest, symbolizing the vigorous vitality and enduring cohesion of the local community.

From the intersection in Xuan Khang commune (Nhu Thanh district), I followed provincial road 520C to Duc Binh village, Tan Binh commune (Nhu Xuan district) to see the only remaining ancient green lim tree, nearly a thousand years old.

In the memories of the local Thai ethnic people, this place was once a vast expanse of ancient green ironwood forests, but after many historical upheavals, only one ancient ironwood tree remains today.

The green ironwood tree before us was recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree in 2022. Locals still commonly refer to it as Ironwood.

This ancient tree is about 50 meters tall and nearly 2 meters in diameter. Its canopy isn't very wide, but its trunk is tall and straight, standing majestically as a symbol of vibrant life amidst the mountains and forests.

Approaching the base of the tree, one can easily observe the raised and sunken scars that have formed over time. Some of these scars have even rotted and need to be sealed with cement to protect them from termites.

The tree trunk still bears the marks of two old saw cuts, one of which has penetrated quite deeply into the trunk.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Nam, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Binh commune, explained: The incident of the green lim tree being cut down occurred around 1989, when he was still serving as the Secretary of the Party Committee of Tan Binh commune. Immediately after receiving information that a group of people were using hand saws to cut down this last remaining green lim tree, he personally, along with commune officials and villagers, went to stop them and demanded that the group not cut it down.

Following the incident, the People's Committee of the commune also assigned the villagers the task of taking turns strictly guarding and protecting the ironwood tree.

The nearly 1,000-year-old green ironwood tree is a Vietnamese Heritage Tree. This ancient tree stands majestically on the border between Xuan Khang commune (Nhu Thanh district) and Tan Binh commune (Nhu Xuan district) in Thanh Hoa province and is considered a "treasure" by the Thai ethnic people there, a dwelling place of spirits.

Mr. Nam stated that for generations, the identity and customs of the Thai ethnic people have primarily depended on the forest. They believe that large trees, hundreds of years old, are the dwelling places of spirits and the souls of the deceased, so cutting them down is strictly forbidden and considered extremely impolite. The only people who would dare to encroach upon these ancient ironwood trees are "forest bandits," people from other places.

During the war years, the green ironwood forests were exploited by the Nhu Xuan farm to serve the country's needs. Ironwood was used to construct railway tracks; make grenade handles; gun stocks, etc.

However, in later periods, there were times when the green cypress forests were overexploited. This was due to profiteering from open forest policies by various parties, lax management, etc. As a result, ancient green cypress forests were gradually wiped out, leaving behind barren hills.

During the period of 2011-2013, Ben En National Park implemented the project "Conservation and Development of the Green Lim Tree Species," which included the restoration and conservation of thousand-year-old green lim trees. Also during this period, Ben En National Park demarcated approximately 1,000 hectares of natural green lim forests and planted about 5 hectares of new lim forest (using seeds from ancient green lim trees and naturally occurring seeds in the forest) to support the development and conservation of the species.

In 2022, the Ben En National Park Management Board continued the process of preparing the necessary documents and successfully recognized the ancient green lim tree as a Vietnamese heritage tree. This recognition is of immense significance, not only helping to preserve valuable genetic resources and protect ancient trees, but also demonstrating respect for a symbol protected by the local community.

Currently, the ancient ironwood tree has been protected by a fence; vines and bushes have been cleared; fungicides, insecticides to treat decay and kill termites have been sprayed around the base; and growth stimulants and wound-healing agents have been applied.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Bang, Vice Chairman of the Tan Binh Commune People's Committee, in addition to protecting the heritage lim trees, a symbol of the village, Tan Binh commune has also established 3 forest protection teams with 21 members to participate in management and receive contracts to plant new green lim forest areas annually.

To date, the area of ​​green teak forest within the administrative boundaries of the commune, managed by Ben En National Park, has been largely reforested, with no more barren land or deforested hills.

Ms. Le Thi Thu, Secretary of the Duc Binh village Party branch and also a member of the local forest protection team, could not hide her joy when talking about the forest management policies implemented in recent times. These policies have helped the people of Duc Binh village to have additional funds to invest in social welfare projects, as well as providing them with additional income from planting and protecting forests.

According to data from Ben En National Park, since its establishment in 1992, the conservation and reforestation of green cypress forests have always been a priority. In addition to implementing comprehensive and strict protection measures for over 10,500 hectares of naturally regenerating green cypress forests, from 2011 to the present, using state budget funds, cooperation programs, and funding from international organizations, Ben En National Park has replanted over 300 hectares of green cypress trees. In the period 2023-2030, Ben En National Park will continue to strive to plant an additional 200 hectares.

Overall, the newly planted green cypress forests are being cared for according to proper technical procedures, resulting in good tree growth and development. For areas of green cypress in natural forests, strict management and protection measures have prevented illegal logging.

Source: https://danviet.vn/day-la-cay-lim-xanh-gan-1000-nam-tuoi-con-sot-lai-cua-rung-gia-thanh-hoa-cay-co-thu-cao-hon-50m-20241111074547109.htm