'Messenger from prehistoric times' recognized as Vietnam heritage tree

A population of 108 flat-leafed pine trees in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, considered by botanists as 'messengers from prehistoric times', has officially become a Vietnamese heritage tree.

On May 19, Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park ( Lam Dong ) held a ceremony to announce the decision of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment to recognize the population of 108 flat-leaf pine trees in Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park as Vietnamese heritage trees.

Placing a board recognizing the population of 108 flatleaf pine trees in Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park as Vietnam heritage trees

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

Attending were representatives of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment and representatives of Lam Dong provincial departments and Lac Duong district authorities.

As Thanh Nien has reported, the flat-leafed pine, with the scientific name Pinus krempfii , is a rare and endemic plant species found only in the Lang Biang plateau and surrounding areas, considered by botanists as a "messenger from prehistoric times". French botanist Chevalier once asserted: " This is the only representative species of a genus remaining from prehistoric times". Two American botanists, Krisphind and Litenle, consider this a " living fossil " of Tertiary period plants - with relatives known only through fossil specimens.

The 1,000-year-old flat-leaf pine is considered by botanists to be a "messenger from prehistoric times".

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

With these special values, on April 2, 2025, Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park submitted a dossier to the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment to consider recognizing the population of 108 flat-leaf pine trees distributed in sub-areas 89 and 90 of Da Chais commune, Lac Duong district, as Vietnamese heritage trees.

Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park leaders receive heritage tree title for the flat-leafed pine population

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

This population consists of individuals with an average age of 700 to about 1,000 years, 35-40 meters high, considered the largest population of flat-leaf pine in Vietnam and the world today. This is not only a symbol of longevity, but also a living testament to the value of the primary forest ecosystem and efforts to sustainably conserve nature.

The ceremony to receive the title of heritage tree was held at the complex of 108 flatleaf pine trees.

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

Recognizing the title of Vietnam Heritage Tree not only honors the value of rare ancient trees, but also has practical significance in raising public awareness of environmental protection, promoting the development of eco-tourism associated with nature conservation.

This is also a very necessary activity to honor the values ​​of biodiversity conservation, connecting heritage values ​​on the Flower and Sea Road - National Highway 27C connecting Da Lat City and Nha Trang City. Accordingly, the combination of natural heritages such as the flat-leafed pine population; the cultural heritage of the Central Highlands gong space and the documentary heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks will become an attractive journey to attract tourists to visit and study...

Planting 30 more flat-leafed pine trees in Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

Immediately after the title receiving ceremony, Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park launched a tree planting campaign, adding to the population of flat-leafed pine, three-leafed pine and five-leafed pine. Specifically, 30 flat-leafed pine trees, 500 five-leafed and three-leafed pine trees were planted by delegates, officials, staff and local people in areas along Highway 27C and landscape areas in the National Park.

At Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park, scientists have recorded 2,089 plant species out of a total of about 13,000 species of the Vietnamese flora belonging to 829 genera and 186 different families. Of which, 74 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book 2024 and 35 species are listed in the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) version 2024. In addition, Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park is considered the kingdom of orchids with the presence of 317 orchid species belonging to 85 genera out of a total of nearly 1,300 orchid species in Vietnam, a geographical area of ​​coniferous trees with 13 species belonging to 10 genera and 5 families.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/su-gia-den-tu-thoi-tien-su-duoc-cong-nhan-la-cay-di-san-viet-nam-185250519150127926.htm