Ginkgo Tree of Hasong-ri, Yeongwol

The ginkgo tree of Hasong-ri, Yeongwol is estimated to be 1,000–1,200 years old, standing 23.0 m tall with a trunk girth of 15.0 m at chest height. It originally stood in front of a temple called Daejeongsa, but after the temple disappeared and houses were built, it came to stand at the centre of the village. The tree's original trunk is said to have died and disappeared, and the present trunk is said to have grown from new shoots that sprouted afterwards. Today it serves the village as a pavilion tree, a large shade tree traditionally used as a gathering place. According to the villagers, a mysterious snake lives inside the tree, so that no animal or insect can come near it. It is also said that children who fall from the tree are never hurt, and that a woman who prays to it with sincerity will bear a child. The ginkgo tree of Hasong-ri, Yeongwol is a large and ancient tree of great biological value, and it is also valuable as material offering a glimpse into the religious and cultural life of past generations, and so it has been designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongwol, Gangwon

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물