For many years now, longan has become a typical feature of Hung Yen and contributes to increasing the value of agricultural production. Hung Yen still preserves many hundreds of years old longan trees.
The longan tree is over 300 years old in Hien communal house
The longan tree has a lifespan of more than 300 years, located in the cluster of communal houses – Hien pagoda, Hong Chau ward (Hung Yen city). In the past, the scientist Le Quy Don used to enjoy and described in the book Phu Bien Tap Luc in 1776: “Every time you put it in your mouth, your tongue and teeth come out with a fragrance like holy water.”
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| The longan tree in the communal house complex – Hien pagoda |
Legend has it that the longan tree is a precious product of the region. In the past, the fruit of this longan tree was offered by local mandarins and villagers to the Buddha, the emperor, and to the king in the ripe longan season, so this longan tree is also known as the forward longan tree.
In the past, the trunk of the longan tree was about three adults who couldn’t hold it. Due to the perennial, longan tree trunk is hollow inside, so a few decades ago, the tree was broken in half. The longan tree has only one sub-branch left, this branch is taken care of by the temple and the people to develop into a “descendant” tree, present as a symbol of the specialty longan variety Pho Hien – Hung Yen. This label is about 5 meters high, the base has a circumference of about 2 meters.
Venerable Thich Thanh Son, Abbot of Hien Pagoda said: “Every year, at the beginning of the 7th lunar month, when the longan is ripe, the temple will pick fruit to offer to the Buddha and the emperor. Not only during the longan harvest, but every day there are tourists from all over the country and outside the province who come to visit the relic, admire and admire the longan tree.”
On October 10, 1992, the longan tree was identified by the Vietnam Gardening Association as over 300 years old. The longan tree is honored and protected with its original genetic source to preserve and develop, more importantly, for each Pho Hien resident, the image of the longan tree is always kept in mind and passed on to many generations to come. Then the people of Pho Hien, no matter how far they go, always remember and want to introduce their hometown products to friends near and far.
Hundred-year-old longan trees in Hong Nam commune
Located in Hung Yen city, Hong Nam commune is considered as the “capital” of the province with lush green longan gardens with an area of over 200ha. Nature generously endowed the land here with fertile alluvium, which has become a healthy soil for the longan variety to take root and survive for hundreds of years. Currently, the whole commune estimates that there are about 300-400 longan trees with a lifespan of over 100 years. In which, there are 155 trees in the old longan ridge along the dyke, which have now been labeled with conservation trees, the rest are ancient longan trees planted in their gardens or communal houses, pagodas, churches… The big longan trees large, sunlight hardly penetrates to the base, becoming the ideal rest stops for those passing by at noon in summer.
Mr. Vu Duy Han, Chairman of Hong Nam Commune People’s Committee said: “Over time, many ancient longan trees in Hong Nam commune have rotted, but the local authorities and people still try to protect and take care of them. to preserve the precious genetic resources of the next generation. This year, it is estimated that the commune’s ancient longan trees will yield about 75 tons of fruit. Not only are they an economic source, these longan trees also preserve the genetic resources of the precious longan for the next generation.
The ancient longan tree in the communal house of Tam Nong village
The communal house of Tam Nong village, Hung Dao commune (Tien Lu) is the place where two special ancient longan trees are located. Two ancient longan trees stand tall with wrinkled, rough bark, imprinted with time. The main branches of the tree curled like a dragon’s body. The canopy is very wide, shading a corner of the courtyard. Fresh green shoots sprouted from the old trunk.
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| The ancient longan range of Hong Nam commune is attached with the sign “Conservation tree” |
According to Mr. Bui Xuan Hoi, Head of Tam Nong village: “About 140 years ago, Mr. Luong Doan Ung, a villager, planted these two longan trees on both sides of the communal house gate. About 10 years ago, a longan tree was rotted and its trunk was hollow. People in the village actively took care of it, so the tree continued to grow well. Currently, in order to preserve the two ancient longan trees, we are actively taking care of them, applying organic fertilizers, preventing pests and diseases, and picking up the pink threads that cling to the trees for healthy growth.
This year, the weather is favorable, these two ancient longan trees are laden with branches, one longan tree produces over 400kg of fruit, the other produces about 140kg of fruit. The longan fruit of the two ancient longan trees is not as big as the newly hybridized varieties of longan, but the quality of the fruit is considered to be very delicious with thin skin, thick pulp, small seeds, sweet taste and mild aroma. Every year, when the longan is ripe, the first bunch of longan picked down are washed and then offered to the Buddha and the village god. The remaining longan will be sold to the people so that everyone can enjoy this delicious longan.
Over the past time, the management, conservation and exploitation of the value of longan in general and ancient longan trees in particular have been implemented by all levels and branches of Hung Yen province. However, the conservation and preservation are still difficult because many trees are old, so they are barren, many trees are decayed, decayed, broken branches… On the other hand, due to the negative impacts of humans leading to trees. dead, cut down, the risk of losing the special value of the ancient label brings.
Along with the development of many new varieties of longan planted in Hung Yen, bringing diversity in types, crops, quality to meet the needs of consumers and improving economic efficiency, ancient longan trees have become culture, the common pride of the people of Hung Yen, a land famous for its specialty of longan, sharing the sweet bag of a reclaimed land.
Source: Collected internet.