The ancient communal house owns the most heritage trees in Ninh Binh

With 4 ancient trees recently recognized as Vietnam Heritage trees, an ancient communal house in Nho Quan district owns the largest number of Heritage trees in Ninh Binh.

Yen Chi communal house, Thuong Hoa commune, Nho Quan district has just been recognized by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment for 4 Heritage trees, including 2 Barringtonia trees, 1 Banyan tree, and 1 Bodhi tree, all over 200 years old.

For the banyan tree, the height is about 18m, the canopy area is about 200m2 in the shape of a raspberry. For the bodhi tree, the trunk diameter is nearly 2m, the tree is about 20m high. For the 2 barringtonia trees, the canopy spreads widely, covering an area of 52m-80m, the canopy is round in all directions from 7-9m. Currently, the ancient trees in the Yen Chi communal house are still growing well.

Mr. Vu Van Sinh, Head of Yen Chi village, Thuong Hoa commune said: "No one remembers exactly when these trees were born, we only know that when we were young we saw the trees standing tall in the middle of the communal house. The "old trees" have special significance, witnessing the daily changes of the countryside. Therefore, people have passed down from generation to generation, together taking care of and protecting the old trees, preserving the landscape of the communal house".

The recognition of 4 Heritage trees in the Yen Chi communal house grounds has important significance in preserving and protecting the environmental ecosystem as well as honoring and promoting the cultural and spiritual values of local people.

The ancient communal house owns the most heritage trees in Ninh Binh — The Village Management Board regularly cares for and waters the trees (in the picture is a banyan tree recognized as a Heritage tree).

According to Mr. Trinh Van Thu, the Village Communal House Management Board: Yen Chi Village Communal House has a history of several hundred years. The Communal House was established to worship the Three Saints Tan, including: Quy Minh Dai Vuong, Tan Vien Son Thanh and Cao Son Dai Vuong, who are the Supreme Gods, playing an important role in Vietnamese beliefs, helping the people to be prosperous, happy and the country to be peaceful.

During the resistance war, this place was an important revolutionary base that contributed to the overall victory of the nation. Here, a village self-defense team was established, revolutionary leaflets were distributed, military training and meetings were held.

Currently, the communal house has become a center of cultural, religious and spiritual activities for the people of Yen Chi village and the region. With its valuable values, in 2022, the communal house was recognized as a provincial historical relic.

Over hundreds of years of changes and wars, the communal house still retains its unique landscape and architecture. In addition, many royal decrees, incense bowls, tablets, ancient royal coffins, etc. are still preserved to this day.

The representative of the Temple Management Board added: "To protect and preserve the trees in the temple grounds in general and the 4 Heritage trees in particular, the Temple Management Board has assigned members to regularly take responsibility for looking after, watering, and taking care of the landscape and environment. In addition, we also promote the people to join hands to protect the trees so that they will last for future generations."

According to Mr. Quach Mai Hong, Chairman of the Provincial Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, Heritage trees are not simply ancient trees, but also historical and cultural witnesses of the country and the nation that need to be honored and protected. With 4 newly recognized trees, Yen Chi communal house is currently the communal house with the most Heritage trees in the province.

Ninh Binh currently has about 20 ancient trees that have been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. Among them are many trees that are over 700 years old, such as the over 500-year-old fig tree at Phu Long communal house, Gia Van commune, Gia Vien district, the over 500-year-old fig tree, the nearly 250-year-old banyan tree at Hung Long pagoda (Ninh Nhat commune, Ninh Binh city);...

To be recognized as a "Heritage Tree", it must meet the following criteria: The tree must live for over 100 years, be tall and majestic, have a unique shape, and have landscape, cultural, and historical value...

Article and photos: Minh Hai

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