The 'Paengnamu' Tree Featured in the Drama Woo Young-woo Also Exists in Hampyeong

Natural Monument No. 108 Hampyeong Hyanggyori Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash Tree Forest 'Attention'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Recently, the drama ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ has gained popularity, bringing renewed attention to the ‘Sodeok-dong Zelkova Tree’ featured in key scenes of the drama. Alongside this, the Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash tree forest in Hyanggyo-ri, Daedong-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do is also attracting interest.

According to the county on the 1st, the Hampyeong Hyanggyo-ri Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash tree forest, designated as Natural Monument No. 108 in 1962, has recently been in the spotlight.

The Hampyeong Hyanggyo-ri Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash tree forest, which won an excellence award at the 2016 Beautiful Forest National Competition, is characterized by rows of trees forming a cluster.

‘Julnamu’ refers to trees planted in long rows along roadsides or streets, serving as street trees.

In Korea, only two places have ‘julnamu’ designated as natural monuments: Hampyeong Hyanggyo-ri and Cheongcheon-ri in Muan.

Covering an area of 14,917㎡ (4,512 pyeong), the forest includes 10 Hackberry trees, 15 Zelkova trees, 52 Manchurian Ash trees, and one each of Pujonamu, Korean Pine, and Pagoda Tree. The ages of these trees are estimated to be around 350 years.

The Hyanggyo-ri Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash tree forest is also nicknamed the ‘Hyanggyo Forest Path’ because it was created mainly by Confucian scholars of the Hyanggyo.

According to legend, this place was established to ward off disasters because Suseanbong in Hampyeong-myeon was believed to harbor the energy of fire according to feng shui principles.

About 380 years ago, to block the volcanic energy that could arise from Suseanbong in Hampyeong, Confucian scholars such as Jeongbang and Iyanghu, representatives of the Confucian community at the time, transplanted trees from other parts of Hyanggyo-ri and planted them here, a theory widely accepted.

Given the wide open fields around and its proximity to the West Sea, the forest functions as a windbreak to protect farmland and the village from strong sea winds.

Especially, this forest adjacent to Daedong Hyanggyo Elementary School has become a beloved spot for villagers, students, and tourists throughout all four seasons, gaining a reputation as a premium forest path.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, “It is a very important cultural resource containing the wisdom of our ancestors who overcame nature, and it is designated and protected as a natural monument.”

A county official said, “We will strive to widely promote the meaning and value of the Hyanggyo-ri Zelkova, Hackberry, and Manchurian Ash tree forest, a premium forest path representing Hampyeong and embodying the wisdom of our ancestors.”

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