Forest of Japanese Torreyas in Pyeongdae-ri, Jeju

The Japanese torreya belongs to the yew family and grows in Korea south of Naejangsan Mountain and in Japan. Its leaves are thick, small and pointed at the tip. It flowers broadly in spring, and in autumn bears long, round fruit. Because of the tree's attractive shape it is widely grown as an ornamental, and its fruit is used to make an anthelmintic, a remedy that expels intestinal parasites, and a treatment for constipation, as well as being pressed for oil. This forest of Japanese torreyas lies about 6 km southwest of Pyeongdae-ri, and contains a total of 2,570 torreya trees, estimated to be between 300 and 600 years old. It is thought that the Forest of Japanese Torreyas in Pyeongdae-ri came into being after torreya seeds once used in village rites scattered in every direction when the rites were over and took root, eventually forming the forest seen today, and it is believed to have survived so well because torreya has long been used as a medicinal remedy. The Forest of Japanese Torreyas in Pyeongdae-ri, Jeju, is exceptionally large by world standards for a forest of this species and has high academic value, and it is therefore designated and protected as a natural monument.

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Where it is

Region

Jeju City, Jeju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물