Damyang Sutra Desk Ri Zelkova

The zelkova is a broadleaf tree found in the warmer regions of Korea as well as Japan, Taiwan and China. Its branches spread out on all sides to give the tree a rounded crown; it flowers in May, and its round, disc-shaped fruit ripens in October. Because of its thick trunk and long lifespan, the zelkova has traditionally been planted as a shade tree at village resting places, or venerated as a dangsan-namu, a guardian tree believed to protect a village. Growing at the edge of a grove of giant bamboo south of the village, the Damyang Sutra Desk Ri Zelkova is estimated to be around 500 years old. It stands 35 m tall with a girth of 7.89 m and is growing healthily. It has long been regarded as the guardian spirit of the village, and each year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month a rite is held beneath it to pray for the village's peace. To its north-east stands a stone altar, and beside the trunk is a flat stone table on which offerings are placed. According to local tradition, the village, once located within the bamboo grove, was burned down during the Korean War and relocated to its present, lower-lying site. The tree is a vigorous and well-preserved old dangsan-namu, of considerable value as a monument both for its folk-religious significance and as an aged, large tree.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Damyang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물