Chinese Pear of Duwol-ri, Jeongeup

The Chinese pear was once classified as a species similar to the wild pear (sandolbae), but the two are now grouped together and called sandolbae. Its leaves are oval with serrated edges, smooth and firm on both sides. The fruit is brown or green, ripening to yellow in autumn. Duwol-ri, where this tree grows, is a village settled by the Namwon Yang clan. Originally there were three Chinese pear trees here, but only one remains today; in late April, when it blooms, the whole village appears bright with its flowers, and it has survived to the present thanks to the devoted care of its owner and the villagers. The tree is 19.0 m tall with a trunk circumference at breast height of 2.4 m. The Chinese pear appears as cheongsilbae (靑實梨) in the Wanpan edition of the Tale of Chunhyang, and in the late Korean Empire period it was widely cultivated under names such as hwangsilbae (黃實梨, yellow-fruited pear) and cheongsilbae (靑實梨, blue-fruited pear); today, however, it has largely disappeared, displaced by improved pear cultivars. The Chinese Pear of Duwol-ri, Jeongeup has been well cared for by the villagers and remains in good condition, with a beautiful form and large, good-tasting fruit, giving it great academic value as a native fruit-tree variety; it is therefore designated and protected as a natural monument.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jeongeup, Jeonbuk

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물