Forest of Oriental Arborvitae in Gamcheon-ri, Yeongyang

The Oriental arborvitae is found in China and Korea; in Korea it grows in places such as Danyang, Daegu, Yeongyang, and Andong. It often takes root in rock on cliffs, forming forests, and it is widely planted around houses and villages to beautify its surroundings. The natural habitat of Oriental arborvitae in Gamcheon-ri, Yeongyang, lies on a cliff across the Banbyeoncheon Stream, close to Yeongyang-eup. Within the forest the arborvitaes are not especially tall, standing 3 to 5m high with a trunk diameter of usually around 10cm. Nearby grow the rare species golden rain tree and hairy abelia. There are not many natural habitats of Oriental arborvitae in Korea, and the one at Gamcheon-ri, Yeongyang, provides important scholarly evidence against the theory that the Oriental arborvitae originated in China and was only introduced to Korea from there. For this reason it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물