Uiryeong's 'Natural Monument Seonghwang Pine Tree' Gains Popularity as Deokdali Tree

The Popularity of the 'Wooyoungwoo Paengnamu'

Continued by the 'Deokdali Sonamu'

The natural monument pine tree in Seonghwang-ri, Uiryeong, Gyeongnam, recently gained attention as the ‘Deokdari Tree’ featured in the popular drama ‘Akgui’.

Natural Monument Seonghwang-ri Pine depicted in the drama Akgui.
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

Along with the drama’s setting and the legend that predicted Korea’s liberation, interesting stories have been passed down, leading to an increase in visitors to the Seonghwang-ri pine tree in Uiryeong. Consequently, the other three natural monument trees in Uiryeong, each with their own stories, are also drawing attention.

Last year, the ‘Zelkova Tree’ in Bukburi, Changwon, which appeared in the drama ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ and enjoyed near-syndrome-level popularity, is expected to see its popularity replicated in Uiryeong.

According to the county on the 19th, phone calls inquiring about the location of the ‘Deokdari Pine Tree’ have been steadily increasing since the broadcast.

In the drama, the tree is depicted as a place where a ritual honoring the souls of children was performed through the custom of ‘Deokdari,’ which involved placing children who died from epidemics into earthenware jars and hanging them to protect the bodies from animals. However, this differs from reality.

The Seonghwang-ri pine tree in Uiryeong is located at San 34-1, Seonghwang-ri, Jeonggok-myeon, Uiryeong-gun. It stands 13.5 meters tall with a circumference of 4.8 meters, its branches splitting into three and spreading widely sideways as it grows tall.

The Seonghwang-ri pine tree serves as a village guardian tree (Seonang tree) and is recognized not only for its folkloric value but also for its biological preservation value as a tree over 300 years old. It was designated as a natural monument (No. 359) on April 30, 1988, and is protected accordingly.

Particularly interesting is the legend associated with this tree: it was said to be married to a large pine tree growing very close by, with branches almost touching. The two trees, growing affectionately close, were believed to rejoice and celebrate greatly if their branches actually touched. Indeed, in 1945, when the two branches met, Korea was liberated.

Riding the wave of the drama’s popularity, the other natural monument trees are also gaining attention. Uiryeong-gun possesses four trees designated as natural monuments, including the Seonghwang-ri pine tree, each with mysterious stories.

A 500-year-old persimmon tree in Baekgok-ri.
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

The persimmon tree in Baekgok-ri, Jeonggok-myeon, was the first persimmon tree in Korea to be designated as a natural monument (No. 492). Estimated to be 500 years old, it stands 28 meters tall with a circumference of 4 meters at chest height, making it the oldest persimmon tree in Korea. Generally, persimmon trees are known to live about 200 to 250 years, but the Baekgok-ri persimmon tree has lived twice as long. Notably, in 2020, it bore fruit, attracting significant attention.

The ancient zelkova tree (Neutinamu) in Segan-ri, Uiryeong, named for the drum hung on it, holds historical and folkloric significance. During the Imjin War, the righteous army leader Gwak Jae-woo hung a large drum on this tree to gather and train militia forces. It was designated as a natural monument (No. 493) due to its historical importance as the birthplace of the Imjin War militia and its folkloric value.

Also, standing proudly in front of Gwak Jae-woo’s birthplace is a 600-year-old ginkgo tree in Segan-ri, Uiryeong, designated as a natural monument (No. 302). This female tree bears fruit and is known for its beautiful and robust shape, famous for its stunning autumn foliage. Particularly, two short protrusions growing from its southern branch resemble a woman’s breasts, and it is said that mothers who have given birth but cannot produce milk come to pray sincerely here, with reported miraculous effects.

County Governor Oh Tae-wan said, “Visitors to Uiryeong can enjoy a unique tourism experience by touring the natural monument trees. While appreciating these natural heritage trees up close, we ask for special care to avoid damaging their value.”

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