Recent discoveries by scientists and authorities in the mountainous regions of Quang Tri Province, located at elevations above 1,000 meters, have significant implications for conservation science and local livelihoods.
On September 6, the North Central Forestry Science Center reported the identification of a population of Longleaf Podocarpus, wild ancient tea trees, and willow trees during a forest survey.
Since September 2, the center’s staff, along with other units, have been conducting forest surveys and measuring carbon in natural forests across approximately 700 hectares of community forest in Chênh Vênh Village, Hướng Phùng Commune, Hướng Hóa District (Quang Tri).
The Longleaf Podocarpus is a large timber tree, typically found sparsely in evergreen forests, on clay and rocky mountains, and has been included in the Vietnam Red Book.
The team discovered a population of approximately 20 hectares of Longleaf Podocarpus, with some trees measuring up to 90 cm in diameter. It is known that Longleaf Podocarpus, belonging to the Podocarpaceae family and scientifically named Podocarpus nerifolius, is a large tree species that grows scattered in evergreen forests, clay and rocky mountains, and has been listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2007) and the Vietnam Red List of Medicinal Plants (2006) as vulnerable (VU), requiring protection.
According to officials from the North Central Forestry Science Center, Longleaf Podocarpus is a very slow-growing species, with trees measuring 90 cm in diameter estimated to be around 500 years old. This species is distributed in the northern Hướng Hóa region and Đakrông District, but not in concentrated areas.
In the forested areas above 1,000 meters, the team identified a population of around 500 individual wild ancient tea trees covering an area of about 20 hectares. Local residents reported that they often go into the forest to collect this tea, which they estimate to be around 100 years old.
The willow tree is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also recognized as a valuable medicinal resource (photo: internet).
Additionally, the team discovered a population of willow trees. This species is not only valued for its aesthetic qualities but is also known to be a precious medicinal plant. Willow trees are primarily found in the northwest of Vietnam, in areas with elevations exceeding 1,000 meters.
