19 willow trees in Lao Cai Province’s mountainous town of Sapa have been chopped down, shocking local residents and visitors.
Untouched trees
Director of Sapa Urban Environment Company Le Duy Dung confirmed that 19 willow trees they planted arround the lake 10 years ago had been sawn down overnight on March 1. The vandals had sawn through two-thirds of the tree trunk and let a strong wind the next morning take down the trees.
Some locals believe the bizarre act was based on a superstitious belief that willow trees with their large canopies hanging down over the lakes will bring bad luck. Other trees that cast no shade over the lake remained untouched.
On March 4, Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Pham Gia Chien, Head of Sapa Police Department said the authorities were investigating the case and gathering information from the public.
One of 19 chopped red willows trees
Authorities are trying to save the trees
Only trees with canopies that hung over the water were attacked