Download The Palm Tree of Cambodia

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The palm tree, known
better in Khmer as Deum
Tnort, is seen in every
corner of Khmer territory.
Some Khmer people
believe that the palm tree
is the symbol of the Khmer
territorial border. “Where
there are palm trees, then
that area is considered as
being part of Cambodia”.
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There are two kinds of palm trees:
- The female bears fruit that will
eventually go to seed.
- The male does not bear fruit,
although it does produce flowers
that are shaped like big candles.
The palm tree grows best in an area
with a wet climate.
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The flowers can be made into sweets.
The sweet nectar (juice) can be dried
and made into red sugar. Vinegar and
drinks can be made from the sour nectar.
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The palm tree is very useful for Khmer people.
Every part of it can produce household items.
The wood, which is black in color, is used to
construct shelters or to build boats. Mats,
hats, fans and roofs of Khmer houses are made
from palm tree leaves.
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Its fruit is edible and can be used as a
vegetable or for making cakes. Other
parts of the tree are used to make
traditional medicine
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The palm tree is so important to the Khmer
culture that the Cambodian government
announced, “The cutting of palm trees is the
cutting of the Khmer soul and destroying
oneself.” The future of the palm tree in
Cambodia is uncertain. It may even face the
danger of extinction if people keep cutting
them down. If Deum Tnort is cut down every
day it could mean that future Khmer
generations will only know the Deum Tnort
from pictures and not the real trees.
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