Japanese Cinnamon and Machilus of Udo Island, Tongyeong

The Japanese cinnamon grows on flat land along warm southern coasts. It flowers in April and May, and its fruit ripens in July to September. The Machilus grows on Ulleungdo Island, Jeju Island and other southern islands, mainly along the coast. Because the tree is grand and beautiful, it is planted as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks, and is also widely planted as a windbreak. These trees form a seonanglim, a grove believed to guard and protect a village, standing behind the village: two Japanese cinnamon trees and one Machilus together make up a small stand of forest 9.5–14 m tall. The largest of the Japanese cinnamon trees is estimated to be about 400 years old, and the Machilus is estimated to be about 500 years old. Beneath the trees grow plants such as skunkvine and island strawberry, and nearby stands a small grove of camellia trees. The villagers have long believed that the Japanese cinnamon and Machilus of Udo Island, Tongyeong protect the village, and have carefully preserved them for centuries; their cultural and biological preservation value has been recognised, and they have been designated and protected as a natural monument. (Note: in 2018 one of the Japanese cinnamon trees died as a result of typhoon damage.)

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Tongyeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물