Muku Tree at Jwasuyeong Fortress Site, Busan

The muku tree is a large tree of the elm family that grows only in warm regions along Korea's west coast, extending as far as Gyeonggi-do. Along with the black pine and the hackberry, it withstands salt-laden sea winds well, making it well suited for planting along coasts as a windbreak. Because of its resemblance to the hackberry, it is also called gaeppaengnamu or gombyeongnamu in some places. Growing on the eastern slope of Suyeong Park, the Muku Tree at Jwasuyeong Fortress Site, Busan is estimated to be about 500 years old. It stands 14.0m tall; at a height of 1.08m, the branch leaning to the south and north has a girth of 6.21m at breast height, while the branch rising upward has a girth of 4.50m, so that the tree looks as though two separate trees are growing together. The whole tree leans to one side as it grows; its trunk bears the marks of old wounds and has developed burls. The tip of the trunk has died, yet the tree as a whole retains a dignified presence. Its origin is unknown, and it is regarded as a guardian spirit protecting the village. Villagers believe that the spirit of a grandmother dwells within the tree, and that anyone who falls from it will not be hurt. The Muku Tree at Jwasuyeong Fortress Site, Busan has lived amid the care and attention of generations of villagers, and holds high value as folkloric and biological material, and is therefore designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suyeong-gu, Busan

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물