Saw-leaf Zelkova of Bongdeok-ri, Jangsu

The zelkova grows in warm regions of Korea as well as Japan, Taiwan and China. Its branches spread in all directions, giving the tree a rounded form; it flowers in May, and its disc-shaped fruit ripens in October. With its thick trunk and long lifespan, the zelkova has traditionally been used as a shade tree at village resting spots, or protected as a dangsan tree — a guardian tree believed to watch over and protect the village. Growing on the hill behind Gogeum village, the Saw-leaf Zelkova of Bongdeok-ri, Jangsu is estimated to be about 500 years old (at the time of designation), with a height of 21.5 m and a trunk girth at breast height of 6.8 m. Each year, on the night of the third day of the first lunar month, the villagers hold a dangsanje, a rite to ward off calamity from the village; those who officiate purify themselves beforehand, and the offerings for the rite are prepared by the household that farms the village's shared rice paddy. As the custom of holding the dangsanje survives here, the Saw-leaf Zelkova of Bongdeok-ri, Jangsu has folkloric value, and as a tree that has lived for a long time under the care and attention of past generations, it also has high value for biological conservation; it is accordingly designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jangsu, Jeonbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물