Ginkgo Tree of Yonggye-ri, Andong

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.175

Category

동식물

Designated year

1966

Location

안동시, 경상북도— 경북 안동시 길안면 용계리 744외 8필

Coordinates

36.489793, 128.925092

A ginkgo tree can be as old as a fossil. Introduced along with Confucianism and Buddhism from China, ginkgo trees are found in Japan, China, and Korea. The ginkgo tree has beautiful leaves in fall, undamaged by harmful insects, and provides large, cool shade. Therefore, it is often planted as arbor or roadside tree. The ginkgo tree in Yonggye is approximately 700 years old, with height of about 31m and girth of approximately 13.67m. At first, this ginkgo tree used to be in Yonggye Elementary School. Now, however, it was moved to its current location due to the construction of Imha Dam. During the reign of King Seonjo, Tak Sun-chang, the Drill Instructor, came here and made a friendly union at the ginkgo tree. The attendees of the meeting gathered around the ginkgo tree every July and kept the ginkgo tree well and cultivated the mutual friendship. Though this village has been gone, the descendants of Tak's family perform a ceremony to honor the ginkgo tree every year. The ginkgo tree of Yonggye-ri is biologically valuable and has been preserved well by our ancestors, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

Location