Chinese Pear of Eunsusa Temple, Jinan

The Chinese pear was once classified as a species close to the wild pear, but it is now grouped with the wild pear under a single name. Its leaves are oval and serrated, hairless and firm on both sides. The fruit is brown or green, ripening to yellow in autumn. Growing within the grounds of Eunsusa Temple, the Chinese Pear of Eunsusa Temple, Jinan is estimated to be over 640 years old, standing 17.6 m tall with a girth at breast height of 3.0 m. Its form is unusual: a single large trunk divides above into four branches that seem to support the upper part of the tree, two of which then rejoin before dividing again into several branches, producing an overall sense of harmony. According to tradition, King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392–1398) came to pray at Maisan Mountain and, as a token of his prayer, planted the seed from which this tree sprouted and grew; local residents still take pride in this story today. Owing to the local topography, when the wind blows, the tree's stiff leaves rub against one another and produce a sound difficult to describe. In winter, it is said that if water is left beside the base of the tree, icicles form growing upward toward the branch tips, an unusual phenomenon. Centred on Eunsusa Temple on Maisan Mountain, the Maisan Festival and a performance of Monggeumcheok (a court song and dance performed at royal banquets) are still held every year to honour King Taejo's achievements and the legend associated with prayer at this famous mountain. The Chinese Pear of Eunsusa Temple, Jinan is a native Korean variety of which few specimens now survive, and large trees are especially rare. It is therefore highly valuable for academic study and for the conservation of the species, and is designated and protected as a natural monument.

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Where it is

Region

Jinan, Jeonbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물