What Happened at Gyeongju Bomun Lake?… 37 Willow Trees Left as Ugly Trunks After Branches Were Cut

Thirty-seven willow trees along the Bomun Lake walking trail in Gyeongju have been left with only their trunks after their branches were cut off, resulting in an unsightly appearance.

Around Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, the willow trees have become unsightly, with their branches cut off and only the thick trunks remaining.

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The Gyeongju Environmental Movement Federation (Standing Chairman Jeong Hyeong-geol) announced in a statement on the 1st, “The willows were indiscriminately cut, turning the street trees into so-called ‘chicken feet.’ This year, we will no longer be able to see the graceful weeping willows with their lush, light green long hair harmonizing with the pale pink cherry blossoms.”

The Environmental Movement Federation explained, “Complaints from citizens visiting Bomun Lake have been ongoing. Upon checking with the Gyeongbuk Tourism Corporation, which manages the landscaping of Bomun Lake, it was confirmed that many willow trunks along the walking trail were severely decayed and at risk of breaking due to strong winds such as typhoons. Therefore, they were designated as ‘dangerous’ trees and have been pruned every five years.”

According to the Gyeongju Environmental Movement Federation, a visual inspection of the 37 willow trees turned into ‘chicken feet’ street trees showed that only about 30% of the trunks were severely decayed, while 70% had all their branches cut off, leaving only bare trunks, and were not in a dangerous condition.

Status of 37 willow trees with trunks cut off and only branches remaining around Bomun Lake in Gyeongju.

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The Environmental Movement Federation argued, “Even if the willows are decayed, there should be sufficient alternative management methods besides cutting all the branches every five years. A Gyeongbuk Tourism Corporation official admitted that although the trees could be preserved through surgical treatment, the high cost made pruning the only option.”

A representative of the Gyeongju Environmental Movement Federation added, “In fact, old protected trees at major historic sites and villages in Gyeongju are well preserved through methods such as surgical treatment. The willows along the Bomun Lake walking trail, where citizens frequently visit to relax, are also worth preserving while maintaining their branches.”

The Environmental Movement Federation stated, “It is impossible to reattach the branches that have already been cut. However, the mistake of turning the majestic willows of Bomun Lake into ‘chicken feet’ again in five years must not be repeated. We want to see willows flourishing with lush green beauty after being well cared for over the next ten years,” urging Gyeongju City to establish preservation measures for the willows.

A representative of the Gyeongju Environmental Movement Federation said, “The Bomun complex in Gyeongju is a place frequently visited by tourists and citizens. If surgical treatment is done, ruthless pruning would not be necessary, but it seems that the trees were cut down in bulk due to budget reasons,” and added, “We hope that the Gyeongbuk Tourism Corporation will invest the budget to preserve the willows in their intact form.”

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