Jeongseon Sericulture Culture Symbol Mulberry Tree Designated as a Natural Monument

Jeongseon Bongyang-ri Mulberry Tree "Securing Growth Space Due to Road Relocation, etc."

A mulberry tree in front of Jeongseon County Office in Gangwon-do has been designated as a natural monument. It is the Gangwon-do monument 'Bongyang-ri Mulberry Tree.' On the 30th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it has been renamed 'Jeongseon Bongyang-ri Mulberry Tree' and designated as a nationally designated cultural heritage natural monument. A commemorative event is planned to raise awareness of its natural heritage value with local residents and to appreciate the historical value of sericulture (raising silkworms to produce cocoons) culture in this area. An official stated, "We will secure sufficient growth space due to road relocation and strive to develop the vicinity into a historical and cultural street."

This mulberry tree is located near the historic Jeongseon Sangyujai Old House. It is said that the Jeju Go family resigned from a central government post 500 years ago, retired to Jeongseon, built the old house, and planted the tree. It is not a single tree but two trees. The northern tree measures 14.6 meters in height, 3.5 meters in circumference at breast height, with a canopy width of 15 meters east-west and 18 meters north-south. The southern tree is 13.2 meters tall, 3.3 meters in circumference at breast height, with a canopy width of 18 meters east-west and 15.8 meters north-south. The trees are large, in good health, and have a beautiful shape.

Jeongseon has had many mulberry trees since ancient times. This is confirmed in records such as 'Jeongseon Chongswaerok,' written by the late Joseon Dynasty scholar-official Oh Hoeng-muk during his tenure as Jeongseon County Magistrate. Modern administrative documents of Jeongseon County also mention the number and area of sericulture households in 1909. A Cultural Heritage Administration official said, "The Bongyang-ri mulberry tree is a living resource indicating the prosperity of sericulture and has great historical value."

Mulberry trees bloom in June. They bear fruit called 'Odi.' The root bark is used in traditional Korean medicine for fever reduction, cough relief, diuretic purposes, and treatment of boils. Earlier mulberry trees designated as natural monuments include the Changdeokgung Mulberry Tree (2006) and the Sangju Dugok-ri Mulberry Tree (2020).

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