Rare population of Fansipan fir discovered in Muong Hum

According to Mr. Ngo Kien Trung, Head of the Management Board of the Bat Xat Nature Reserve in Lao Cai, the population is located deep within a primary forest at an altitude of around 2,800 meters above sea level. It covers an area of approximately 100 hectares and has a high density of trees.

Notably, the population includes many ancient trees that are hundreds of years old, some with trunks up to 1 meter in diameter and heights ranging from 20 to 40 meters. In addition, the presence of numerous young, growing trees indicates the species' natural regeneration.

The Fansipan fir is a rare and precious timber species endemic to the high mountains of the Hoang Lien Son range. Previously, it had only been recorded in Hoang Lien National Park. Since 1996, the species has been listed in the Vietnam Red Book, and in 2014, it was recognized as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree, often referred to as a “national treasure.”

The discovery of a large population of Fansipan fir trees in the Bat Xat Nature Reserve holds significant importance for biodiversity conservation and the protection of rare plant genetic resources. It also opens up opportunities for scientific research, environmental education, and sustainable forest development.

Currently, the Management Board of the Bat Xat Nature Reserve is actively implementing measures to demarcate and strictly protect the area, while coordinating with specialized agencies to conduct further research on the status and conservation potential of this rare tree species.