Ginkgo Tree of Juam-ri, Buyeo

The Ginkgo Tree of Juam-ri, Buyeo, is estimated (as of the date of designation) to be about 1,000 years old. It stands 23 m tall with a trunk girth at breast height of 8.62 m, and stands behind Juam-ri village. It is said to have been planted by Chwapyeong (senior minister) Maeng when the Baekje capital was moved to Sabi (present-day Buyeo) in the 16th year of King Seong's reign (538). According to tradition, the tree was beset by kudzu vines climbing over it on three occasions of turmoil: when Baekje fell, when Silla fell, and when Goryeo fell. There is also a legend that during the Goryeo period the abbot of Sunggaksa Temple died suddenly while cutting off one of the tree's large branches to use as a roof beam in repairing the hermitage, after which the temple itself fell into ruin. The tree has been protected as a divine guardian of the village, and is believed to possess miraculous power, since the village alone is said to have been spared during epidemics. Having lived for centuries under the care and attention of past generations, the Ginkgo Tree of Juam-ri, Buyeo, is of great value as a cultural and biological resource, and is designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buyeo, Chungnam

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물