Saw-leaf Zelkova of Jingi-ri, Namwon

Zelkova trees are found in warm regions including Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China. Their branches spread out in all directions to form a rounded crown; the flowers bloom in May and the disc-shaped fruit ripens in October. Because of their thick trunks and long lifespans, zelkova trees have long served as pavilion trees offering shade and rest, or as guardian trees (dangsan-namu) protecting and watching over villages. Serving as the pavilion tree of Jingi village, the Saw-leaf Zelkova of Jingi-ri, Namwon, is estimated to be about 600 years old (at the time of its designation), standing 21.3 m tall with a girth at breast height of 8.7 m. It is said to have been planted when the Danyang U clan first settled in this village. During the reign of King Sejo of Joseon (r. 1455-1468), a military officer of great strength named U Gong is said to have pulled the tree up from the hill behind the village, replanted it in front of the village, and, on leaving, told the villagers to look after it well. He is said to have rendered great service in suppressing Yi Si-ae's Rebellion, which broke out in Hamgyeong-do during King Sejo's reign, for which he received the third-class merit-subject title of Jeokgae Gongsin, and later served as Naval Commander of Left Gyeongsang Province. His descendants built a shrine and hold a memorial rite there on Hansik, the Cold Food Day, and nearby stands a memorial gate honouring a virtuous woman of the U clan. The Saw-leaf Zelkova of Jingi-ri, Namwon, is of cultural value as a record of how the Danyang U clan came to settle the village, and, being also an old tree of great biological conservation value, it is designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namwon, Jeonbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물