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| The 200-year-old sua tree at Phu Chinh Pagoda in Ha Noi is starting to show its age. — Photo dantri.com.vn |
Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Residents of Phu Chinh Village in Hoa Chinh Commune, Chuong My District want to sell a 200-year-old sua (dalbergia tonkinensis) tree which was once valued at VND100 billion (US$4.28 million).
According to the commune People’s Committee, local authorities asked for approval from the district and the Ha Noi People’s Committee to auction off the tree. It is located at Phu Chinh Pagoda.
One potential buyer previously offered VND100 billion for the tree, but villagers refused to sell. Then, in 2010, one of two major branches broke off and was sold for VND20.5 billion.
Residents and local authorities took measures to protect the tree from unlicensed loggers who wanted to steal its wood. But over the last few years it has shown signs that it is beginning to die.
One of the pagoda’s monks said they want to sell the tree to fund repairs and public works.
Sua trees are commonly found along Ha Noi’s streets. The tree is ranked as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Endangered Species. In Viet Nam, sua wood is highly valued for its quality. — VNS
OVietnam