Gochang Samtae Village Forest Designated as Natural Monument... The 'Village Guardian Forest' Protected by Residents

An 800-Meter Stretch of Willow Groves
A Renowned Site Marked on 19th-Century Maps

Aerial View of Samtae Village Forest in Gochang Hagori

The "Samtae Village Forest" in Hagori, Seongsong-myeon, Gochang County, North Jeolla Province, will now be managed as a Natural Monument.

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 25th that it has designated this forest, which features a harmonious mix of willows, hackberry trees, Korean black pines, and oak trees, as a Natural Monument.

The Samtae Village Forest stretches for about 800 meters along the embankment of the Samtae Stream, which flows in front of the village. Residents planted trees on the embankment to protect the village from floods and wind, allowing the forest to serve as a windbreak and flood barrier. There is also a local story that, based on geomantic principles, willows, zelkova trees, and hackberry trees were planted on both sides of the Samtae Stream to prevent the boat-shaped village from being washed away.

This forest is deeply connected to the village’s spiritual beliefs. The villagers have protected it for hundreds of years, upholding the belief that "if the forest is damaged, great disaster will follow." The forest is even depicted in the "Jeollado Mujanghyeondo," a map created before 1835, indicating that it has been recognized as a famous forest since the early 19th century.

The Samtae Village Forest is considered the largest willow grove in South Korea. It is home to a total of 224 trees, including 95 old willows that stand over 10 meters tall and have a circumference of more than 3 meters. The surrounding streams, farmlands, and diverse tree species create an outstanding landscape.

The Cultural Heritage Administration described it as "a natural heritage site with high symbolic value, representing the community’s spiritual beliefs and identity."

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