Forest of Saw-leaf Zelkovas, Japanese Hackberries, and Yeddo Hornbeams in Hyanggyo-ri, Hampyeong

Julnamu are trees planted in a long, continuous line along a roadside to serve as street trees. The julnamu of Hyanggyo-ri, Hampyeong, stand along an old road beside Hyanggyo Elementary School. The old, large trees comprise four Japanese hackberries, thirteen saw-leaf zelkovas, and one each of Yeddo hornbeam, black pine, and muku tree; including the smaller trees, the grove is made up of nineteen Japanese hackberries, fifty-eight saw-leaf zelkovas, two Yeddo hornbeams, one black pine, one muku tree, two elms, and one date plum. These old, large trees are estimated to be around 350 years old. According to a local legend based on feng shui, the julnamu of Hyanggyo-ri were planted because Susanbong Peak in Hampyeong-myeon was believed to hold the energy of fire, and the trees were meant to ward off the disaster this might bring. The only other julnamu designated as a Natural Monument in Korea is the grove of Japanese hackberries and Yeddo hornbeams at Cheongcheon-ri, Muan. The forest of saw-leaf zelkovas, Japanese hackberries, and Yeddo hornbeams in Hyanggyo-ri, Hampyeong, in particular functions as a windbreak protecting the fields and village from strong winds off the sea, and preserves valuable cultural evidence of the wisdom by which our ancestors overcame the challenges of nature. For this reason it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

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Where it is

Region

Hampyeong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물