Many trees along streets in Ho Chi Minh City are suffering due to having their roots covered with concrete and their trunks tied with iron chains and spiked with nails, according to complaints from Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper readers.

The readers made their complaints after the city opted to remove bricks and concrete around the roots of the trees along Nguyen Thai Son Street in Go Vap District.

In particular, trees along Nguyen Kiem Street in Go Vap District, Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District, and Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in District 1 have had their roots covered with concrete and their trunks tied with chains and spiked with large nails for days.

On Nguyen Kiem Street, more than 10 trees measuring 40-50 centimeters in diameter have had their roots fully cemented.

A tree on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City has its roots covered with concrete. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre

Local traders have also used nails to hang signs from some of the trees, causing sap to leak and the bark to peel off.

Similarly, trees on Ho Van Hue Street face the same fate.

They are also suffocating under concrete blocks, iron chains, and iron nets.

Thuy Hoa, a 36-year-old resident in Go Vap District, said she is upset that the trees are not being properly cared for by residents.

Along a Hoang Van Thu Street section from the Lang Cha Ca Roundabout to the Bay Hien Intersection in Tan Binh District, there are only about 10 trees, but all of their roots have been covered in concrete.

Concrete covers the roots of a tree on Bach Dang Street in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre

Sau, a motorbike taxi driver, said the area often sees high traffic volume, but the number of trees on the section is low, adding that the trees do not seem to be in good health.

A row of ancient trees on Ly Thuong Kiet and Xuan Hong Streets in Tan Binh District and Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11 have had their roots covered by concrete.

A tree near the intersection of Ba Thang Hai and Ta Uyen Streets is even wrapped in chains.

Tying ropes and chains around trees, and striking them with nails, is popular in Tan Phu and Binh Tan Districts.

Traders hang things on trees in the Bon Xa Intersection in Binh Tan District.

Street vendors take advantage of the concrete over the roots of a tree on Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City to sell products. Photo: Dinh Duong / Tuoi Tre

A similar situation is also seen on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District.

A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Greenery Parks Co. Ltd., a state-run company, told Tuoi Tre that covering tree roots with cement would cause the trees to die.

The company has regularly patrolled and detected residents’ acts that do harm to trees.

It has coordinated with local authorities to remove concrete, nails, chains, and advertising boards from trees.

Many trees on Nguyen Kiem Street in Ho Chi Minh City find it hard to grow as their roots are covered with cement. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre

A large tree on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City has its roots covered with concrete and its trunk spiked with nails. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre

Many sign boards are hung on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

Residents spike nails on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City to hang trash bags. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

A tree in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City is wrapped in electric wires. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

A household hangs many products for sale on a tree in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

An altar is hung on a tree on Thoai Ngoc Hau Street in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Diep / Tuoi Tre

Signboards are attached to a tree. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre

A large concrete block is tied to a tree on Ho Van Hue Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tien Quoc / Tuoi Tre

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