BacGiang (VNA) – A millennium-year-old tree in the northern provinceof Bac Giang has been recognised as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree bythe Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment(VACNE).
A ceremony to announce the status was held in XuanLuong commune, YenThe district on February 14.
The45m high tree is scientifically known as Erythrophleum fordii, but called “Lim”in the community.
In 2011, the VACNE launched a programme to conserveVietnam’s Heritage Trees, aiming to select and honour the country’s heritagetrees in a bid to conserve their gene sources, while raising public awarenessof environmental protection.
It also contributes to promoting thediversification and abundance of Vietnam’s flora as well as developingscientific research in the field.
To win the honour, the trees must be at least200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for thoseplanted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with the historical andcultural characteristics of the area where they grow.
Those which do not meet the criteria, yet havespecial values to science, history or culture, will also earn the recognition.-VNA