'Under attack' from fragrance, Hanoi prunes its famous blossoms

Motorists drive along a street lined with milkwood trees in Hanoi on Oct 15. - Photo: AFP

HANOI: The star-shaped white blossoms of Hanoi's milkwood trees have inspired songwriters and lovers, but city authorities began cutting them back on Friday (Oct 16) after an outcry from residents over their "overpowering" fragrance.

The Vietnamese capital boasts more than 14,400 alstonia scholaris, tall evergreens that shade the streets in summer and in autumn produce flowers that fill the air with a heady scent.