Long-leaf Zelkova of Dogye-ri, Samcheok

The zelkova tree of Dogye-eup is estimated to be an extremely old tree, over 1,000 years old, with a height of 22.7 m and a girth at breast height of 10.7 m. Villagers have revered this tree as a seonangdang, a tree worshipped as the village's tutelary deity, praying to it for happiness, peace and prosperity. In the past, many scholars are said to have taken refuge here, and even today, at examination time, some people are said to come and pray devoutly for success. According to tradition, when there was once a proposal to replace this tree with another as the village's guardian tree because it stood on the school playground, the plan is said to have provoked the tree's anger, bringing on thunder and lightning. The zelkova tree of Dogye-ri, Samcheok, is not only of great biological value for conservation as a large and ancient tree, but also of great cultural value, reflecting how our ancestors endowed trees with spirits and held them sacred; for these reasons it has been designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Samcheok, Gangwon

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물