Chinese Walnut of Gwangdeoksa Temple, Cheonan

The Chinese walnut is native to China and grows well in sunny places. In Korea it is found mainly in regions south of Hwanghae-do and can grow up to about 20 m tall. It flowers in April–May, and round fruit ripens in September. This walnut tree is estimated to be about 400 years old. It stands 18.2 m tall, and at a height of 60 cm above the ground it divides into two trunks, with girths at breast height of 2.75 m and 1.84 m respectively. About 3 m in front of the tree stands a stone marker inscribed "Walnut Tree Planting Site of Master Yu Cheong-sin," referring to a legend associated with the tree. According to the legend, in 1290, the sixteenth year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo — some 700 years ago — Yeongmilgong Yu Cheong-sin, returning from China's Yuan dynasty in the king's retinue, brought back a young walnut sapling and walnuts; the sapling is said to have been planted within Gwangdeoksa Temple and the walnuts in the yard of his hometown house, though no firm evidence has been found to confirm that the present tree is the one planted at that time. The villagers here regard this as the origin of the walnut tree's introduction to Korea, and call the place the sibaeji, or site of first planting, of the walnut tree. As a tree that has lived for a long time under the care and attention of past generations, the Chinese Walnut of Gwangdeoksa Temple, Cheonan has high value as cultural and biological material, and is accordingly designated and protected as a natural monument.

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Where it is

Region

Cheonan, Chungnam

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물