Old trees featured

Old Trees of Goseong in Gyeongsangnamdo, South Korea

A 700 year old tree?? So I’ve been living in Goseong for years, but only recently became observant of the old trees around.

Background

Many of these trees are found in a gathering place of a village, such as near the “town hall”, or a resting place between rice fields. They were planted in central locations for reasons other than shade and convenience, however.

Since ancient times in Korea, these trees have been thought to represent protection over a village. Still today, though not as much as in the past, rituals and ceremonies are held at the tree.

There is almost always some kind of gazebo or resting platform under the tree. They make for a shaded, casual meeting area, but also a space for prayer and offerings to the tree. As a Christian, I do not feel good or amused about that, but I see the tree as simply an old and majestic piece of God’s creation that ultimately grew as allowed by His hand alone, and therefore it is interesting to me.

Goseong has a few old forests such as Jangsan Forest, but this post focuses on individual trees that have been granted a “protection” status by a special agency that helps manage the tree, along with a designated caretaker in the community, such as the village head. These trees under conservation are assigned an identification number, and this info is all posted next to the tree. This is how I got the ages, height, etc for this post.

I will list these trees from youngest to oldest, according to the signs posted next to the tree. (I factored the designation date into the age.)

Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite! 😀

Index of 33 Old Trees

____
Select one of the tree “cards” below to jump to more photos and details!

A bunch of twisted pine branches in a tree
#1

Pine in Songgye-ri

Age: 160 years old
Height: 8M

Species: Pine

Address: 485-4, Songgye-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

150 year old tree with mossy tunk
#2

Hackberry in Geumsan-ri

Age: 190 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 1039-2, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

Long branches of a 200 year old tree stretching over benches and sidewalk towards the street
#3

Zelkova in Sangri-myeon

Age: 200 years old
Height: 15M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 443-1, Cheokbeonjeong-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

A tree next to a gazebo and picnic tables
#4

Willow in Yongsan-ri

Age: 215 years old
Height: 12M

Species: Willow

Address: 431-1, Yongsan-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

A 215 year old tree on the side of a road across from a rice paddy
#5

Zelkova in Yeondang-ri

Age: 215 years old
Height: 25M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 968-1 Yeondang-ri, Yeongo-myeon, Goseong-gun

A quince tree in front of the sun next to benches
#6

Quince in Cheokjeong-ri

Age: 215 years old
Height: 13M

Species: Quince

Address: 1053, Cheokjeong-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

A fairly large metal bell hanging from an old tree
#7

Zelkova in Sinchon-ri

Age: 260 years old
Height: 15M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 85, Sinchon-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

A mossy dome of rocks between two old trees
#8

Hackberry in Hwadang-ri

Age: 265 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 419-2, Hwadang-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

Small road lined with trees
#9

Chionanthus in Usan-ri

Age: 270 years old
Height: 18M

Species: Chionanthus

Address: 190-15, Usan-ri, Goseong-eup

A large tree in the grass next to a gazebo
#10

Hackberry in Eunwol-ri

Age: 270 years old
Height: 15M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 362, Eunwol-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

A short, stubby 270 year old tree with a wide trunk
#11

Zelkova in Bongam-ri

Age: 270 years old
Height: 25M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 1111, Bongam-ri, Donghae-myeon, Goseong-gun

Benches next to a large tree trunk in the shade
#12

Zelkova in Samdeok-ri

Age: 290 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 1391-6 Samdeok-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, Goseong-gun

A tree trunk in tall grass with rice fields and mountains in the background
#13

Zelkova in Jwayeon-ri

Age: 310 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 581, Jwayeon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

#14

Korean Pear in Miryong-ri

Age: 315 years old
Height: 16M

Species: Korean Pear

Address: 1032, Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

An old tree next to a gazebo overlooking crop fields below
#15

Hackberry in Gamseo-ri

Age: 315 years old
Height: 30M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 5-1, Gamseo-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

An old tree branched filled with cement or something and shackled with suspension cables
#16

Hackberry in Dangdong-ri

Age: 320 years old
Height: 14M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 304-1, Dangdong-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

#17

Zelkova in Samdeok-ri

Age: 320 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 1546-1 Samdeok-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, Goseong-gun

A symmetrically shaped old tree near a parking lot
#18

Hackberry in Dupo-ri

Age: 320 years old
Height: 18M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 1588-3 Dupo-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

Large tree branches extending over a green fence
#19

Zelkova in Jeoyeon-ri

Age: 370 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 600-10, Jeoyeon-ri, Guman-myeon, Goseong-gun

Nate stretching out his hand to touch the wide tree trunk
#20

Zelkova in Gobong-ri

Age: 400 years old
Height: 15M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 652-1, Gobong-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

#21

Hackberry in Wolheung-ri

Age: 410 years old
Height: 25M

Species: Hackberry

Address: San 124, Wolheung-ri, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun

The hollow trunk of a 415-year-old tree
#22

Peugeot in Sambong-ri

Age: 415 years old
Height: 12M

Species: Peugeot

Address: 620-3, Sambong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

A 415 year old tree with a wide trunk next to a wooden platform and some greenhouses
#23

Zelkova in Yongwari-ri

Age: 415 years old
Height: 22M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 401-1, Yongwari, Guman-myeon, Goseong-gun

A 420 year old tree next to a gazebo with some green moss on the tree trunk
#24

Zelkova in Geumsan-ri

Age: 420 years old
Height: 13M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 296-2, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

Wooden fence around large trunk with a big knot
#25

Zelkova in Sinbun-ri

Age: 440 years old
Height: 35M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 870, Sinbun-ri, Yeonghyeon-myeon, Goseong-gun

A 440 year old tree on a platform with stairs and a round deck
#26

Zelkova in Cheonggwang-ri

Age: 440 years old
Height: 17M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 620, Cheonggwang-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

#27

Hackberry in Samlag-ri

Age: 440 years old
Height: 25M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 108-2, Samlag-ri, Maam-myeon, Goseong-gun

A pair of 510 year old trees with a stone wall
#28

Zelkova in Naseon-ri

Age: 510 years old
Height: 20M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 892-10 Naseon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

Baby Noah walking on a platform next to an old tree in a village
#29

Zelkova in Naegok-ri

Age: 540 years old
Height: 40M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 566, Naegok-ri, Donghae-myeon, Goseong-gun

#30

Hackberry in Geumsan-ri

Age: 550 years old
Height: 22M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 660, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

Old tree next to a gazebo supported by a stone tower
#31

Zelkova in Geumsan-ri

Age: 550 years old
Height: 18M

Species: Zelkova

Address: 480, Gacheon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

Long branches of 740 year old tree stretching over a wooden deck
#32

Hackberry in Songsan-ri

Age: 740 years old
Height: 26M

Species: Hackberry

Address: 124-1, Songsan-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

#33

Ginko in Cheokjeong-ri

Age: 840 years old
Height: 35M

Species: Ginko

Address: 1052, Cheokjeong-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

1. Pine in Songgye-ri

_______
Age: 160 years old
Species: Pine
Height: 8M
Address: 485-4, Songgye-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

This is the only pine in the list. I guess there are really two trees.

Two pines in the grass growing away from each other on cloudy day

2. Hackberry in Geumsan-ri

_______
Age: 190 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 20M
Address: 1039-2, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

I happened across this tree while driving down a road I haven’t driven down before.

The trunk of a 150 year old tree in a bed of woodchips next to a warehouse

It is next to a random warehouse on the side of the road with a little gazebo under the tree.

3. Zelkova in Sangri-myeon

_______
Age: 200 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 25M
Address: 443-1, Cheokbeonjeong-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

Although one of the youngest in the list, this tree is super cool to stand under. It feels so majestic the way its branches stretch so far out, like arms reaching out in a deliberate way.

A 200 year old tree with long branches and full leaves

This zelkova tree is just a minute drive from Sangri Lotus Park. It’s in a valley surrounded by mountains and always seems to be misty and foggy and rainy every time I am in this area.

The tree just looks so strong and full of life.

Long branches of a 200 year old tree stretching over benches and sidewalk towards the street

Even Noah liked the tree.

It took a lot of time to put this together, not to mention all the time spent driving and walking through many villages, but that helped me become even more familiar with Goseong in Gyeongsangnamdo and more aware of how people are living here.

4. Willow in Yongsan-ri

_______
Age: 215 years old
Species: Willow
Height: 12M
Address: 431-1, Yongsan-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

Surrounded by buildings, this tree is labeled as a kind of willow.

A willow tree next to a pavilion and rock dome surrounded by buildings and in front of the setting sun

5. Zelkova in Yongdang-ri

_______
Age: 215 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 25M
Address: 968-1 Yeondang-ri, Yeongo-myeon, Goseong-gun

Nothing special with this tree, compared to others.

A 215 year old tree on the side of a road across from a rice paddy

It’s on the side of a somewhat main road with rice fields on the other side.

A 215 year old tree in woodchips and gravel

6. Quince in Cheokjeong-ri

_______
Age: 215 years old
Species: Quince
Height: 13M
Address: 1053, Cheokjeong-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

Quince is used in traditional Chinese medicine, and in Korea, people make a kind of jelly out of the hard fruit which can be mixed with water to drink as a “tea”.

The tree is actually next to the oldest tree in this list. The blue arrow in the photo marks the quince tree.

A quince tree within sight of a larger, older tree along a path through the grass

I am not sure how healthy the tree is, as many of the leaves were down in late September, while most other trees still had full leaves.

A quince tree next to benches in tall grass

7. Zelkova in Sinchon-ri

_______
Age: 260 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 15M
Address: 85, Sinchon-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

A row of 3 trees are here, with a fairly large bell hanging from one of them.

A fairly large metal bell hanging from an old tree

They are surrounded by rice fields and the mountains.

8. Hackberry in Hwadang-ri

_______
Age: 265 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 20M
Address: 419-2, Hwadang-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

A pair of domes of stacked rocks are next to this tree.

A mossy dome of rocks between two old trees

There are also gravestones which look more like what the USA uses for graves.

Gravestones next to an old tree

The sea is just across from the tree. A sign here also talks about Yi Sun-shin, a cherished Korean war hero, having some presence here around this village.

9. Chionanthus in Usan-ri

_______
Age: 270 years old
Species: Chionanthus retusus
Height: 18M
Address: 190-15, Usan-ri, Goseong-eup

A sign here indicates a “chionanthus retusus” tree, or Chinese Fringe tree. Supposedly they have beautiful white flowers. I am not sure if this sign is referring to the tree across the street, or just many of the trees in general along the road.

The trees along the road are aged in general. Perhaps this road looks beautiful during spring blossoms.

10. Hackberry in Eunwol-ri

_______
Age: 270 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 15M
Address: 362, Eunwol-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

This one has a dome of stacked stones next to it.

Stone dome and gazebo next to old tree

The branches protruding in an odd shape from certain angles.

It’s surrounded by crops in a village near the mountains.

A large, old tree next to a pavilion with a stone wall

11. Zelkova in Bongam-ri

_______
Age: 270 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 25M
Address: 1111, Bongam-ri, Donghae-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree is short with a wide stump.

A short, stubby 270 year old tree with a wide trunk
A closeup of a wide stump with many thick branches protruding in all directions

12. Zelkova in Samdeok-ri

_______
Age: 290 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 20M
Address: 1391-6 Samdeok-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, Goseong-gun

I found this tree in front of a store selling stone products.

Benches next to a large tree trunk in the shade

Not much to say about this one. The benches would be a decent place to read a book if it weren’t for the barking dogs.

13. Zelkova in Jwayeon-ri

_______
Age: 310 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 20M
Address: 581, Jwayeon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

This is a group of 3 trees along a country road along rice fields.

A group of 3 old trees next to rice fields and a stream

They are in a pretty setting. But we have more interesting trees to look at, so moving on…

14. Korean Pear in Miryong-ri

_______
Age: 315 years old
Species: Korean Pear
Height: 16M
Address: 1032, Miryong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

This is the only Korean Pear (AKA Asian Pear) tree in the list. It’s next to a hanok, a traditional Korean style house.

A Korean pear tree on a rock wall next to a hanok

Though the pears are rather small, there are quite a few on the tree.

Pears on a Korean Pear tree next to a rice field

The old hanoks appear to be still in use as more of a warehouse than an actual house of living in.

The tree is a bit up along the mountainside on the edge of a village. The sun was setting when I was here.

15. Hackberry in Gamseo-ri

_______
Age: 315 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 30M
Address: 5-1, Gamseo-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

Up on the mountainside of Georyusan mountain, this very cool looking tree sits above a village.

An old tree on a mountainside next to a gazebo

To get to it, I walked to the edge of the village and followed this driveway through bamboo and between two walls of stacked rocks.

I spotted a deer in the bamboo.

Around the corner on the left sits the tree.

An old tree behind stalks of bamboo

It has some nice moss growth and sort of looms over the village.

The other interesting thing is this abandoned (I think) hanok sitting in the middle of weeds around the bamboo and rock wall.

An abandoned hanok in weeds and bamboo

It feels like going back in time. I imagine the person who used to live here and what life might have been like.

An abandoned hanok near a cluster of bamboo

And I’m not sure what this little structure is next to the old tree.

16. Hackberry in Dangdong-ri

_______
Age: 320 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 14M
Address: 304-1, Dangdong-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree is not far from a trail leading up Georyusan Mountain. I found it on accident by following a small road along a stream.

A 320 year old tree with a deck around it next to a burial mound

The mountain in the background is Georyusan Mountain. The tree has apparently received a lot of care with some kind of cement filling in the branches which are also shackled to suspension cables.

A burial mound and gravestone are next to the tree.

17. Zelkova in Samdeok-ri

_______
Age: 320 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 20M
Address: 1546-1 Samdeok-ri, Hoehwa-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree leans over a stream running through a village.

An old tree leaning over a stream with sun shining through the branches

The tree apparently has been damaged with a severed or fallen branch due what seems to be natural causes. The stump still looks cool and the tree appears otherwise healthy.

It looks like the area near the tree received a lot of infrastructure updates, including new exercise equipment.

18. Hackberry in Dupo-ri

_______
Age: 320 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 18M
Address: 1588-3 Dupo-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

Near a marina in the sea sits this tree under which construction workers appeared to be working on a new parking lot and a walkway.

An old tree near the sea with construction workers and a sign under the tree

The symmetrical shape of this tree makes me think it has been carefully pruned to have the appearance it has.

A symmetrically shaped old tree near a parking lot

And how about that network of branches?

A complicated network of tree branches

This reminds me of lightning bolts. Or veins in human organs. Or a river network viewed from far away…

Large tree branches and a network of smaller ones

19. Zelkova in Jeoyeon-ri

_______
Age: 370 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 20M
Address: 600-10, Jeoyeon-ri, Guman-myeon, Goseong-gun

Surrounded by rice fields, this tree is fairly typical of some other old trees in this list.

An old tree within a green fence surrounded by rice fields

The covered shelter next to the tree looks out over the rice fields and villages next to the mountains in the distance.

20. Zelkova in Gobong-ri

_______
Age: 400 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 15M
Address: 652-1, Gobong-ri, Sangri-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree has quite fat, wide trunk.

And old tree with a wide trunk next to a platform

I tried to show its width using my hand as a reference.

Nate stretching out his hand to touch the wide tree trunk

The tree is right next to the road at a building that I believe is the town hall meeting place.

I found it interesting how the lamp was set up on the tree.

21. Hackberry in Wolheung-ri

_______
Age: 410 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 25M
Address: San 124, Wolheung-ri, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun

One of the most interesting to me in this list is this group of five trees on the edge of a village on a mountainside.

A group of 5 old trees in Goseong with 2 trees in the front with a large rock in between them

There are farms around the trees.

The trees face this view of the village and rice paddies below from the mountainside.

A view of a village and rice paddies below from a mountainside

Here is another view of the golden, unharvested rice paddies below on the morning of September 26, 2021.

Golden rice paddies on a mountainside

The group of 3 trees behind the 2 larger ones also look kind of eerie.

Group of 3 eerie looking trees in weeds on a mountainside

These trees are actually common locations for people to practice shamanism, and there is a sign warning people to not do this here.

A sign next to old trees warning against shamanism

I climbed the rock between the two larger trees and took a few photos.

View of a village and rice paddies below from a rock behind two large, old trees

Some paths led through the thicket behind the trees, but I didn’t investigate. They probably lead to tombs.

I had some fun experimenting with editing photos.

Spooky looking trees in fog

22. Puegeot in Samsan-ri

_______
Age: 415 years old
Species: Peugeot
Height: 12M
Address: 620-3, Sambong-ri, Samsan-myeon, Goseong-gun

As trees age, their trunks can begin to hollow out, as can be seen with this one.

The hollow trunk of a 415-year-old tree

As I understand, this Peugeot tree produces edible fruit like ginko nuts and the tree is sometimes used to make paper. In South Korea, this tree is grown primarily in Jeolla and Gyeongsangnamdo.

The tree grows right up along the edge of the road in a thicket of bamboo.

A tree with a hollow trunk growing on the edge of the road in bamboo

I could see through the other side.

23. Zelkova in Yongwa-ri

_______
Age: 415 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 22M
Address: 401-1, Yongwari, Guman-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree’s circumference is larger than others around its age.

A 415 year old tree with a wide trunk next to a wooden platform and some greenhouses

It’s bordered by rice fields and greenhouses in a village. It’s also next to some gravestones. These pictures were taken on a misty morning.

24. Zelkova in Geumsan-ri

_______
Age: 420 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 13M
Address: 296-2, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

This zelkova is just down the street from the 190 year old hackberry. I found it a few minutes later.

A 420 year old tree next to a gazebo with some green moss on the tree trunk

Some rice grows next to the tree with (of course) a little gazebo next to it.

25. Zelkova in Sinbun-ri

_______
Age: 420 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 35M
Address: 870, Sinbun-ri, Yeonghyeon-myeon, Goseong-gun

Next to this tree is an American-style house with siding and a grassy yard.

Full view of an old tree next to a sign and a house with a grassy yard

The trunk has some large knots.

Wooden fence around large trunk with a big knot

It’s fairly tall and just burly in general.

I happened to drive by it in the fall one day while exploring Yeonhwasan Provincial Park.

A 440 year old tree with orange-colored leaves in the fall

26. Zelkova in Cheonggwang-ri

_______
Age: 440 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 17M
Address: 620, Cheonggwang-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

This one is behind a village up on a round deck next to some rice fields.

A 440 year old tree on a platform with stairs and a round deck

One of the large branches is starting to hollow out and is being used to stash a water bottle.

27. Hackberry in Samlag-ri

_______
Age: 440 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 25M
Address: 108-2, Samlag-ri, Maam-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree I can remember from early on in Korea as it is along a main road and the supporting stack of bricks was noticeable from the road.

A 440 year old hackberry tree resting on small brick tower

As I understand, trees tend to get hollow as they get advanced in age. You can see that in this one, and there is more of that cement-like stuffing on some of the trunk.

Cement-like filling in hollow trunk of a 440 year old tree

28. Zelkova in Naseon-ri

_______
Age: 510 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 20M
Address: 892-10 Naseon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

These trees stick out on a rural road between rice fields. They’re in a historic kind of area with other temples and things.

A pair of 510 year old trees with a stone wall

29. Zelkova in Naegok-ri

_______
Age: 540 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 40M
Address: 566, Naegok-ri, Donghae-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree is in the middle of a village.

A 540 year old tree near rice fields in a village

I found a praying mantis on the trunk.

Praying mantis on tree trunk

Here is an example of people leaving an offering for the tree. This is a rice cake and a bottle of something.

A food offering of rice cake and a bottle of something for the tree next to the trunk

30. Hackberry in Geumsan-ri

_______
Age: 550 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 22M
Address: 660, Geumsan-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

This tree is probably my favorite. I love how it’s up on a hill overlooking a very countryside view of a small village.

Baby Noah on the trunk of a 550 year old tree with a view of a village and rice fields below

It just looks so cool and unusual.

A tree on a hill in front of a green and yellow bamboo

Bamboo grows behind the tree.

Noah sitting on a 550 year old tree with moss
August 26, 2021

31. Zelkova in Gacheon-ri

_______
Age: 550 years old
Species: Zelkova
Height: 18M
Address: 480, Gacheon-ri, Gaecheon-myeon, Goseong-gun

A stone tower supports this leaning tree.

A 550 year old tree with half of it supported by a stone tower next to a gazebo and exercise machines next to a rice field

It’s it the middle of a bunch of rice fields. Across the fields is a village at the foot of a small mountain.

32. Hackberry in Songsan-ri

_______
Age: 740 years old
Species: Hackberry
Height: 26M
Address: 124-1, Songsan-ri, Georyu-myeon, Goseong-gun

This one appears to be two trees. I am not sure if it’s one tree that split or not, because each of the trunks don’t look comparable to the sizes of the other trees in this list.

A 740 year old tree next to a picnic table and a wood deck
Two tree trunks next to a deck and part of a 740 year old tree

This tree (or trees) are along a tiny country road.

A pair of old trees with leaves half-fallen and a walker in the road

33. Ginko in Cheokjeong-ri

_______
Age: 840 years old
Species: Ginko
Height: 35M
Address: 1052, Cheokjeong-ri, Daega-myeon, Goseong-gun

This ginko tree is the oldest tree in Goseong that I am aware of.

840 year old tree in tall grass

It is growing in a bunch of tall grass on the edge of a village.

The bark appears to almost be dripping from the tree.

An old ginko tree in tall grass in Goseong

While I was taking pictures of this tree, a giant “murder hornet” flew by my head. This is not unusual here in the mountainous countryside, so after running away, I crept back to get more photos.

I heard the sound of a chainsaw in the distance…but soon I realized this was actually the sound of a giant hornet nest in the tree! The hornets were coming and going from the trunk. I feel lucky I have these pictures before I realized this.

840 year old ginko tree in South Korea
Looking up at an old ginko tree trunk and branches

Maybe this fall or winter when the hornets are less active, I’ll muster up some courage to get a few more photos. UPDATE: Here they are!

One more thing to note is if you walk around the corner you will come to Je Jeong-gu’s grave (and the house he grew up in is in the area too). I found this by accident strolling with Noah. Je Jeong-gu is a National Medal of Honor recipient and dedicated his life to helping the poor. The award-winning (for its architecture) Je Jeong-gu Community Center includes a memorial hall for him and was built in his honor in 2021 at Daega Reservoir.

2 thoughts on “Old Trees of Goseong in Gyeongsangnamdo, South Korea”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ko_KR한국어