Eo Chim Pass is located at an altitude of over 1,000m above sea level. The climate is cool, covered with white clouds all year round, creating favorable conditions for forest mulberry trees to grow.
From about September to November, strawberries ripen profusely. The green fruits gradually turn red, forming clusters laden with fruit. People take advantage of picking them to sell to passersby and people from the lowlands, earning extra income.
Mr. Ho Van Ut, a Cor person in Tra Lanh village, Tay Tra Bong commune, shared: "The forest mulberry root was planted and cared for by our ancestors in the past, now we keep it, we build it for our children and grandchildren later. When the mulberry tree grows, our children and grandchildren know that this tree is a specialty of our mountainous region.
For Mr. Ut, taking care of mulberry trees is also a way to preserve the family story. The trees left by his grandparents still bear fruit every season, and the new trees planted from that seed source, continue to open a new life cycle.
For the Cor people here, mulberry trees are not simply a fruit tree. It has entered life for many years, associated with fruit seasons, forest trips and memories passed down from generation to generation.
In Mr. Ut's garden, there are still 3 mulberry trees left by his grandparents. The oldest tree is about 15 years old. Instead of just keeping the old trees, he took seedlings and continued to plant about 30 new trees. These mulberry trees are now about 3 years old and are starting to bear fruit.
Mr. Tran Van Bang, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Tay Tra Bong commune, said that wild mulberry is originally a plant of natural origin, then brought by people to plant and propagate. The tree is suitable for the cold climate of Tay Tra Bong region and is not available everywhere.
It is a forest tree, but people bring it back to plant and propagate, contributing to the family's income. The price of each kg of wild strawberries is about 30,000 VND. From Mr. Ut's propagation and care methods, it can open up new development directions for local people," Mr. Bang said.
