A nearly century-old red silk-cotton tree, located along National Highway 14 near the northern welcome gate of Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province, in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, was uprooted and relocated on Friday, much to the dismay of local residents.

The silk-cotton tree had served as a landmark for travelers on the North-South journey through Pleiku, carrying almost 100 years of memories for locals and visitors.

The plant is known in Vietnamese as ‘cay gao,’ which is literally rice flowers in English.

It is also called by many other names in English such as Bombax Ceiba, Malabar silk-cotton tree, red cotton tree or kapok. 

During the flowering season, the old silk-cotton tree bloomed with bright red flowers, attracting countless photographs from travelers.

The landmark nearly century-old red silk-cotton tree is pictured when it is still alive along National Highway 14 in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, in 2015. Photo: T.B.Dung / Tuoi Tre

In 2015, during the implementation of the National Highway 14 project, the original plan threatened to uproot the tree as it would sit in the middle of the road.

Yet, upon realizing the sentimental value attached to the ancient tree, authorities reconsidered. 

After redesigning the route, they adjusted the road centerline, preserving the silk-cotton tree.

The landmark nearly century-old red silk-cotton tree collapses onto a dump truck in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, March 7, 2024. Photo: Le Hoa / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Duy, owner of a nearby motel and coffee shop, noted the tree declined in health three years ago, with signs of drying and branch loss. 

On Thursday afternoon, the tree finally succumbed, collapsing onto a nearby dump truck. 

Urban environmental workers have since cleared the area, discovering severe decay within the tree trunk.

Duy plans to request permission from local authorities to purchase and plant another silk-cotton tree in the same location. 

In response, local officials have promised to consult Pleiku City on the matter.

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