Authorities in Dalat have identified road construction and hot weather as the likely causes behind the die-off of decades-old camphor trees along a central street.
Nguyen Hoang Phuc, chairman of Lam Vien Ward, said in a report to Lam Dong Province that at least 10 camphor trees, around 25 years old, had withered and died along Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street. Several others, deemed unsafe, have been cut down.
Initial findings suggest the trees were affected by prolonged heat and construction work linked to the 2025 upgrade of the road’s technical infrastructure.
The affected trees showed signs of severe stress, including mass leaf drop, cracked bark and internal decay.
Local authorities are working with relevant agencies to further investigate the incident and implement measures to protect the remaining trees. Replacement planting is also planned to restore the area’s greenery and landscape.
According to residents, the trees began deteriorating after road upgrade works were carried out. Some had trunk diameters of up to one metre.
Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street stretches about 2.4 kilometres, linking the Dalat University junction to the Mai Anh Dao-Thanh Mau intersection, and is lined with nearly 300 camphor trees planted for shade and urban aesthetics.
