Artworks made from water pine wood, the rare plant species that appeared millions of years ago, were displayed in Hanoi during Tet holiday.

Water pine (glyptostrobus pensilis) is the sole living species in the genus Glyptostrobus. It is native to subtropical southeastern China and also grows locally in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

It is a medium-sized to large tree, reaching 30 m (98 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m (3.3 ft), possibly more.

The species is nearly extinct in the wild due to over-cutting for its valuable decay-resistant, scented wood.

Formerly, it was common in many provinces of Vietnam, but now it is only found in some places of Dak Lak province (Ea H’ Leo and Krong Buk districts). It grows as a dominant tree in permanently inundated swampy forests.

The timber is highly valued, aromatic, finely textured, resistant to termites and insects, and easy to work. It is used for cabinet work, fine art articles, musical instruments, office furniture, and turnery.

Listed as a threatened species in Vietnam by the World Conservation Monitoring Center, 270 individual trees still exist and are protected in EaHleo in Dak Lak province. This is the only community of wild water pines in Vietnam and in the world.

In Vietnam, water pine timber is banned from transport and trade in every form. All products made of water pine tree must have original certificates verified by forest protection agencies.

In Vietnam, such items are very expensive because water pine timber is very rare. At the Spring Festival 2011 held at the Hanoi Museum, several fine artworks made from water pine timbers were displayed.

Kien Trung