Cork Oak of Susan-ri, Uljin

The cork oak is found in Japan, China and Korea, and is characterised by the cork that develops on its stem. It thrives even in dry, south-facing sites or stony ground, and grows especially abundantly in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Its bark is used to produce cork, and its acorns are used to make a jelly-like food. The cork oak of Susan-ri is estimated to be about 300 years old, with a height of 20 m and a girth at breast height of 5.94 m. It grows on a hill to the right of the entrance to Susan-ri village. Its southern branch was broken by a typhoon in 1959, and although the rotten section has since been treated, the tree's form now looks somewhat frail. This tree is said to have been planted by the Venerable Uisang, and it is also said that, long ago, a king in desperate straits during a battle hid beneath this tree, which is why the stream flowing beside it is called Wangpicheon (王避川), meaning 'the stream where the king fled'. At one time the tree also served as a landmark guiding monks on their way to Seongnyusa Temple. The cork oak of Susan-ri, Uljin, is not only of great biological value as an exceptionally large and old tree among cork oaks, but also of great cultural value as a tree steeped in legend; for these reasons it has been designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Uljin, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물