[Ko Gyu-hong's Trees and People] 400-Year-Old Zelkova Tree Embracing the 'Millennium of Aemin'

<13> The Legend of Jipangyi, the Founding Merit Official Who Cared for the People First in Goryeo... The Zelkova Tree of Garimseong, Buyeo

Goh Kyuhong, Tree Columnist.

One of the trees favored by video content creators, the Zelkova tree standing atop Seongheungsan Mountain in Buyeo, has been announced for designation as a Natural Monument. It is also widely known as the ‘Love Tree.’ Beyond the tree itself, the scenery surrounding it is exceptionally beautiful, making it a top choice for photographers as well as film producers as a filming location.

Since the tree stands on the site of the mountain fortress on Seongheungsan, a village hill less than 300 meters above sea level, it has long been called the ‘Buyeo Seongheungsanseong Zelkova Tree.’ However, about ten years ago, during excavation work at the fortress ruins, a record was found in the “Samguk Sagi” under the “Baekje Annals” of the 24th King Dongseong’s reign stating, “In August, Garim Fortress was built, and General Baek Ga was assigned to guard it,” confirming the fortress’s name as ‘Garimseong.’ Since then, it has been called the ‘Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree.’ Nevertheless, it is still more commonly referred to as ‘Seongheungsanseong,’ and most navigation systems recognize it under that name.

The Tree and Surrounding Scenery Are Equally Beautiful,
Making the ‘Love Tree’ a Must-Visit Spot for Buyeo Tourists

The zelkova tree of Buyeo Garimseong, which has lived with the legend that the staff of General Yu Geumpil, a founding meritorious subject of the Goryeo Dynasty, grew.

The ‘Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree’ is a single Zelkova tree that is very beautiful, and the surrounding landscape is also very picturesque. However, among the 18 Zelkova trees designated as Natural Monuments in Korea, it is relatively small in size. It is about 400 years old, 22 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 5.4 meters at chest height.

There is some debate about whether it has the value to be designated as a Natural Monument based on its size. Here, it is necessary to revisit the meaning of a Natural Monument. A Natural Monument is the highest status the state can confer on a living organism. So, it is also important to examine the criteria for designation. Of course, size, beautiful form, and whether it represents a typical form of the species are very important. However, these are only necessary conditions for a Natural Monument.

The designation criteria for Natural Monuments require consideration of values beyond the ‘biological value’ related to size. Above all, the recognition of cultural and historical value is essential. Natural Monuments are classified as cultural properties alongside national treasures, treasures, and scenic sites, and are managed by the Cultural Heritage Administration under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for this reason. In other words, a Natural Monument is not just a living organism but a natural heritage with cultural value.

Despite Some Disagreements Before Designation,
It Should Be Viewed as a Cultural Property with Humanistic Value

The trees alone are beautiful, but the view from among the trees is even more magnificent.

Then, it is necessary to review the evaluation criteria that led to the designation of the Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree as a Natural Monument. This Zelkova tree has a special legend passed down orally among the villagers for a long time. It is said to have grown from the staff used by General Yu Geumpil (庾黔弼; ? ? 941), who was stationed at Garimseong on Seongheungsan.

Although it is difficult to find scientific evidence for the story that a staff used by a person grew into a large tree, even if that were possible, there remains a problem. Yu Geumpil was a figure who made great contributions during the founding of the Goryeo dynasty, and his active period was about 1,100 years ago. If the tree is related to him, it should be over 1,100 years old. However, the tree’s age measured by biological standards is only about 400 years. The facts do not align.

No matter how closely you examine the tree’s size or shape, it does not seem to be that old. Compared to Zelkova trees growing elsewhere, even at the highest estimate, it is reasonable to consider it about 400 years old. This is true even considering the harsh growing conditions at the mountain summit. Nevertheless, the legend of General Yu Geumpil’s staff remains valid among the local people.

Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the meaning of the legend. A legend is a metaphor expressing the values to be realized in a particular era through allegory and symbolism. In other words, the truth of a legend should not be judged by scientific standards.

The Legend That a Staff Planted in the Ground Became a Tree,
The Merit of General Yu Geumpil Who Cared for the Hardworking People,
Perhaps a Testament to the People’s Desire to Remember Him Forever

The mysterious root part that rises above the ground, writhing and stretching.

Then, it becomes necessary to examine how the legend of General Yu Geumpil’s staff was formed and has remained valid for so long. It is said that General Yu Geumpil stayed at Garimseong on his way to meet King Taejo of Goryeo after defeating Later Baekje. At that time, this village suffered greatly because the remnants of Later Baekje frequently appeared and plundered the area. Additionally, there were outbreaks of infectious diseases and famines. Seeing the suffering of the people, Yu Geumpil took the extreme measure of distributing military provisions prepared for his soldiers to care for the people’s lives. The villagers, who could not even secure their meals, were deeply grateful for the general’s sincerity. After overcoming the famine, the villagers built a shrine to honor Yu Geumpil’s merit for a long time. It was a shrine dedicated to a living person, called a Saengsadang. Although Saengsadang shrines became symbols of corruption built by powerful figures exaggerating their activities during the Joseon Dynasty, Yu Geumpil’s Saengsadang was purely a sincere shrine built by the villagers.

The general’s benevolent care for lives on the brink of collapse was invaluable to the villagers. The story of the kind general was likely passed down orally through generations. Strictly speaking, since the area near Seongheungsan in Buyeo was part of Later Baekje territory, Yu Geumpil was the leader of occupying forces who disrupted the villagers’ daily lives. However, the general’s care that helped them survive life-and-death crises left a deep impression on the hearts of the people.

The mysterious root part that rises above the ground, writhing and stretching.

As the story of General Yu Geumpil was passed down through generations, later people looking at the tree standing tall at the edge of the Garimseong site would have recalled the man who helped sustain their lives, eventually adding the legend that the tree grew from the staff he used. This legend form is the result of a desire to preserve the great spirit of a general who devoted himself to defending the country while putting the people first.

The ‘Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree’ is not only valuable biologically as a Zelkova tree but also a natural heritage that holds precious traces of the lives of the local people who have lived while looking at the tree. It is a natural heritage containing humanistic assets, not just a simple natural object, which is why it is recognized as worthy of designation as a Natural Monument. Although a few minor procedures remain before the designation is finalized, it is expected to be completed without major issues.

One important point remains. The environment of standing alone on a mountain summit without any windbreaks is a harsh condition for the tree’s growth. In fact, over the past ten years, a large branch extending westward has broken, significantly damaging the overall shape of the tree. While it remains a beautiful tree, it no longer matches the elegance it once displayed.

Moreover, since the tree is widely known to the public, it attracts many tourists. In particular, the Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree is famous not only for its overall shape but also for its ‘pangun’?the roots protruding above the ground?which are very beautiful. However, most tourists visiting the tree climb onto these roots to take photos. It is obvious that this will have a negative impact on the tree’s growth. Yet, erecting fences to block access would spoil the scenery, and operating a management office continuously is not easy. Reluctantly, the local government and related parties must rely on the awareness level of the tourists visiting the tree, which is an uneasy but unavoidable situation.

Whether the tree can be preserved intact and continue to live as a natural heritage embodying humanistic value for another thousand years depends on the awareness and attitude of our people. The ‘Buyeo Garimseong Zelkova Tree’ will remain an important measure of our nation’s awareness and attitude toward natural heritage in this era.

Ko Gyu-hong, Tree Columnist

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.