Machilus of Gwanmaedo Island, Jindo

Machilus belongs to the laurel family and is an evergreen tree that grows in warm southern island regions such as Jeju Island and Ulleungdo Island, and is also distributed in Japan, Taiwan and southern China. It grows mainly along coastlines, and its bark and fruit are used as medicinal ingredients. Because the tree has a grand and beautiful appearance, it is used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks, and is also planted as a windbreak. The Machilus of Gwanmaedo Island, Jindo consists of two trees growing side by side, both estimated to be about 300 years old and 15.6 m tall, with girths at breast height of 4.25 m and 4.22 m respectively. These trees have been protected as a seonangnim, a grove sacred to the village guardian spirit, and each year at New Year a ritual officiant chosen by the village performs a rite of devotion there. The chosen officiant stays inside the seonangdang, the shrine to the guardian spirit, for three days before the rite, and on the day of the ceremony emerges from the shrine to the sound of the villagers' nongak, farmers' music. Having been cared for and cherished by generations of villagers over a long period of time, the Machilus of Gwanmaedo Island, Jindo holds great value both as cultural material and for biological conservation, and is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

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Where it is

Region

Jindo, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물