Retusa Fringe Tree of Jungsan-ri, Gochang

The name ipatnamu is said to come from ibap, or steamed rice, because the tree is covered entirely in white blossom when it flowers, resembling a bowl of rice; alternatively, it is said to have first been called ipha-mok (立夏木, "tree of early summer") because it blooms around ipha, the traditional onset of summer, and this name later became ipatnamu. The Retusa Fringe Tree of Jungsan-ri, Gochang is thought to be about 250 years old, standing 10.8 m tall with a trunk girth of 3.1 m at chest height. It grows alone on low ground in front of Jungsan-ri village; its branches spread out evenly and naturally, and it is in good condition. Among the retusa fringe trees designated as natural monuments, this is one of the smaller examples. Almost all of Korea's large, old retusa fringe trees carry the same tradition: that the abundance of blossom in a given year foretells whether that year's harvest will be good or poor. As the tree thrives where water is plentiful, it blooms fully when rainfall is adequate and poorly when it is scarce. Since rainfall also affects rice cultivation, this belief is thought to have arisen from long experience and careful observation of nature. The Retusa Fringe Tree of Jungsan-ri, Gochang is a very large and old example of its kind, of great value for biological conservation, and it also carries cultural value as a tree that has lived under the care and attention of past generations for a long time; for these reasons it is designated and protected as a natural monument.

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Where it is

Region

Gochang, Jeonbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물