HÀ NỘI – All trees on Kim Mã Street in Hà Nội, relocated last month to make space for the metro’s Nhổn-Hà Nội railway station line, have survived and begun to grow.

Trần Nam Mừng, vice-director of Beepro JSC, which has undertaken the relocation project, said all the trees survived, a surprise as the company’s target was 60 per cent. Though the trees had to adjust to a different weather and terrain, they had adapted well, he said.

Around 109 mahogany trees, 24 of which are ancient, shading Thủ Lệ lake, had to be relocated.

All the cuts were carefully covered with a mix of cement and anti-fungal substances so that they could heal, Mừng said, adding that they had begun sprouting new leaves. The company asked bonsai artists to prepare the anti-fungal substances.

The problem with relocating trees was that once cut, the trees’ capacity to protect themselves from solar radiation would be down, according to the official. Also, the underdeveloped root system restricted water absorption. The company wrapped straw and bags around the tree trunks to reduce exposure to sunlight and water loss, he said.

Responding to why the area for relocation was changed from Văn Giang in Hưng Yên Province to Đa Tốn Commune in Hà Nội’s Gia Lâm District, Mừng said that after a survey, the company had found that the Văn Giang Garden had thin vegetation, low microbial density in land and low pH levels, all factors unsuitable for planting trees. 

The Đa Tốn Commune plant nursery had previously been used to plant apple trees, which were cut down to make room for these ancient trees.

This was the first time the Hà Nội People’s Committee decided to relocate trees instead of just cutting them down for a project.

After one year, these trees would be expected be brought back and replanted on Hà Nội’s streets, the city authority said. 

The Urban Railway No.3 project - the section between Nhổn and Hà Nội station - is 12.5km long. Its total cost is expected to be US$1.18 billion. Construction began in September 2010 and was scheduled to be completed in November 2018. – VNS