Admire the first heritage cotton tree in Quang Binh blooming every March

As the person who has spent a lot of time researching and building a dossier to submit to the competent authority to recognize the ancient cotton tree in Thiet Son village 3 (Thach Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province) as a Vietnam Heritage Tree, Mr. Ho Duy Thien (former Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Association of Tuyen Hoa district) said that this cotton tree has been around for hundreds of years. Previously, there were 4 trees in Thach Hoa village, but due to the years of war, bombs and storms, etc., now only this one cotton tree remains.

The ancient cotton tree, with a vast field on one side and limestone mountains on the other, creates a familiar, peaceful image of a village.

The difference is that the flowers of the kapok tree are usually red. However, the flowers of the kapok tree in Thach Hoa are orange-yellow, which is very different and very few places have.

Unlike the kapok trees in the northern provinces, the ancient kapok trees in Thach Hoa have orange flowers, shining brightly between the sky and earth.

“Every March, the cotton trees begin to bloom, the first orange flowers gradually turning into a brilliant yellow covering the entire tree. Many species of birds often come to the ancient cotton trees to forage, chirping on the branches, creating a romantic scene, with vast fields on one side and limestone mountains on the other,” said Mr. Thien.

The kapok tree has many branches, each branch with many flowers created like winding paintings in the air.

The cotton tree flower in Thach Hoa has 5 thick, orange petals.

Cultural officers of Thach Hoa commune added that the ancient kapok tree in Thiet Son village 3 is a historical witness associated with the period of opening up the village by our ancestors.

"We only heard from the elders in the village that since we were young, we saw the kapok tree standing tall, providing shade between the limestone mountains on one side and the village fields on the other, even though it went through a period of fierce bombing," said this officer.

The cotton tree flower in Thach Hoa has 5 thick, orange petals.

During the blooming season, many birds often come to the kapok trees to find food, creating a peaceful and beautiful countryside scene. (Photo: Dinh Huy Tri)

The kapok tree under the limestone mountain has a diameter that 10 people cannot hug around.

Every March, the kapok tree blooms and shows off its colors, attracting many birds. (Photo: Dinh Huy Tri)

The cotton tree blooms and shows off its colors, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.

The cotton tree is blooming and showing off its colors, many birds are chirping on its branches. (Photo: Dinh Huy Tri)

At first the flowers are orange, gradually blooming into a brilliant yellow covering the whole tree.

More particularly, when the kapok tree blooms brilliantly every March, people in Thiet Son village can still see the orange-yellow color from the canopy of the old kapok tree from kilometers away.

Through the ups and downs of history, the kapok tree still stands tall and casts shade.

Mr. Tran Van Bang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thach Hoa commune, said: The ancient cotton tree in village 3, Thiet Son was recognized by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment as a Vietnam Heritage Tree in 2023 (the first Heritage Tree of Quang Binh province), is the pride of local people, a symbol of the strong vitality and solidarity of the people of Thach Hoa.

Representative of Tuyen Hoa district leader awarded certificate of recognition of Vietnam Heritage Tree.

"Currently, the commune is proposing to the superiors to open a road to this heritage kapok tree area to serve the sightseeing and admiring needs of local people and tourists from near and far," Mr. Bang added.

Minh Phuong

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/ngam-cay-gao-di-san-dau-tien-o-quang-binh-khoe-sac-moi-do-thang-ba-ve-post543972.html