Higan Cherry of Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye

Higan cherry trees grow in Hwanghae Province, on Jirisan Mountain, on Bogildo Island and on Jeju Island. They are called "olbeotnamu" because their flowers open before the leaves and bloom earlier than other cherry trees. The Higan cherry of Hwaeomsa Temple is estimated to be about 300 years old, 14.0m tall, its trunk forking into two branches with girths at breast height of 1.2m and 2.1m respectively. After the Manchu invasion of 1636 (Byeongja Horan), King Injo (r. 1623–1649) of Joseon, mindful of the humiliation inflicted by the invaders and preparing for future conflict, had many cherry trees planted, since their wood was used to make bows. At the time the monk Byeogam of Hwaeomsa Temple, sharing this aim, planted many Higan cherry trees in the surrounding area, and one of these survives to this day. The Higan cherry of Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye, carries the resolve of past generations to defend the nation, and being also of high value as biological data, it is designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gurye, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물