The golden oak, measuring more than four meters in diameter and 35 m high, is located in Kon Pring village, Ngoc Tu commune, under the management of the Dak To forestry company.
Three deep cuts of 40 to 60 cm each can be found on its trunk.
The local Xo Dang ethnic group believes that the tree belongs to a forest god and therefore no one is allowed to violate it.
They often light incense to invoke the god’s blessings to protect the village from natural disasters.
“At the end of last year, residents, authorities, the forestry company and representatives of six communes signed an agreement to protect the forest near the golden oak,” explains village chief A Nao, 39 years.
He has lived near the forest for decades but doesn’t know when or how the cuts appeared on the tree, he said.
He had seen the “wounds” from a young age when he accompanied his father into the woods, he recalled.
“My father said the tree belonged to the god of the forest and should not be cut down.”
He also told her that the forest was the “lifeblood” of the village and that people should protect it.
For decades, A Nao has been doing its part to save the forest.
Every time he visits the old tree, he lights incense and prays to the forest god to protect the village.
The village of Kon Pring has 60 families and all contribute to saving more than 150 ha of forest.
Nao says: “The forest is under close protection. If someone needs wood to build houses, they must apply for permission to collect fallen trees. He must not cut down living trees.
Nguyen Thanh Chung, director of the Dak To Forestry Company, says workers had cut down the old tree more than 30 years ago, but had to stop halfway after realizing it was too big to be transported out of the forest.
Its exact age is not known, but estimates place it at over 250 years old. Despite the three deep cuts on its trunk, it continues to grow normally, he adds.
Golden oaks are widely distributed in the central highlands and their wood is used to make ships and furniture.
The golden oak “god of the forest” is located three kilometers from the village of Kon Pring.
To get there, you have to cross two streams and several climbing cliffs.
The forest protection station in Ngoc Tu commune has 13 people stationed on site to manage the forest, particularly the giant tree area.
An old golden oak tree in a Kon Tum forest with several deep cuts in its trunk. Video by VnExpress/Tran Hoa
A 34-year-old Thai man, who has been doing this work for 11 years, says it is the largest and tallest tree in this forest.
“It would take 10 people to go around it. The tree is revered by the people of Xo Dang and has become a symbol of protection of the forest.”
He says the patrols are carried out three times a week, by a team of three or four people who carry food and utensils with them and eat and sleep in the forest. Two of the village residents join the authorities on each trip and report to the village chief and other authorities if they spot any outsiders.
The most difficult time is the rainy season, when the roads are slippery and it is difficult to set up camps and light fires. There are also dangers like snake bites, bee stings and poachers.
“But because of the large number of forest guards, poachers often run away,” adds Thai.
