Brief
Hanoi to prune and relocate blackboard trees after resident complaints
The city will strip flowers from thousands of trees in a five‑day campaign and consider moving trees from densely populated streets.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Hanoi is launching its biggest pruning operation yet on its iconic blackboard trees, stripping flowers from about seven per cent of the 14,400 trees over a five‑day blitz that ends on Tuesday, according to the Independent. The move follows a wave of resident complaints that the trees' sweet, pungent scent – strongest in September and October – is causing migraines and other discomfort.
What happened
The campaign began on Monday and will run for five days, targeting trees whose greenish‑white flowers release the strong fragrance at dusk. Officials also plan to relocate trees from streets where they are most densely planted, adding to broader public‑works projects aimed at reshaping Hanoi’s landscape.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the blackboard tree, known locally as hoa sua, was introduced during French colonial rule in the late 19th century and can grow up to 60 metres tall. While many residents find the scent overpowering, some, like Nguyen Thu Trang, 37, love it and lament the pruning.
What was said
"I simply cannot stand the smell," said Nguyen Ha Long, 43, who stopped his evening runs because of migraines. "I absolutely love the scent of blackboard trees. The stronger the fragrance, the more I love it," said Nguyen Thu Trang, 37. Tran Cong Khanh, head of Vietnam's ethnomedicine research centre, said the smell is not toxic but recommended limiting tree concentrations in densely populated areas.
How it came about
Years of complaints and smaller interventions have led to this large‑scale pruning, reflecting Hanoi’s push for ultra‑fast economic growth while balancing public health concerns.
Key facts
- Hanoi will prune flowers from about 7% of its 14,400 blackboard trees. (independent.co.uk)
- The five‑day pruning campaign ends on Tuesday. (independent.co.uk)
- Residents have complained the trees' scent causes migraines. (independent.co.uk)
- Tran Cong Khanh says the scent is not toxic but may trigger allergies. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Vietnam considers relocating iconic trees after residents complain of smell”
