Northernmost Population of Japanese Evergreen Oaks in Gigak-ri, Hampyeong

The Japanese evergreen oak is a tree of the oak family that is sensitive to cold and grows mainly on sunny hillsides and in valleys. Its timber is hard, does not split easily, and preserves well, so it is used for making furniture and boats. The name bulgasinamu, meaning "red-bark tree," comes from the reddish colour of its wood. The Japanese evergreen oak is a representative evergreen tree of Korea's warm-temperate forests, found mainly on Jeju Island and along the southern coast; on the mainland, however, Gigak-ri in Hampyeong County, Jeollanam-do, marks its northernmost limit. This site is therefore of great value for the study of plant distribution, and is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hampyeong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물