Ginkgo Tree of Nongso-ri, Gumi

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.225

Category

동식물

Designated year

1970

Location

구미시, 경상북도— 경북 구미시 옥성면 이곡1길 10 (농소리)

Coordinates

36.312872, 128.279845

A ginkgo tree can be as old as a fossil. Distributed in Japan, China, and Korea, the tree was introduced with Confucianism and Buddhism from China. The ginkgo tree has leaves that are beautiful in autumn, undamaged by harmful insects, and provides large, cool shade. Therefore, it is often planted as arbor or roadside tree. The ginkgo tree in Nongso cannot be dated. Its height is about 21.6m, but its girth cannot be measured because stalk-like new buds have grown on the lower part. Some of the new buds are as tall as the stalk of the tree, and there are lots of new buds. Though the history of this ginkgo tree is not certain, we assume that there was a temple and a marketplace because the stone walls were scattered. It is during that time that the ginkgo tree seems to have been planted. Since the ginkgo tree is believed to protect the village, villagers perform a ceremony to honor it on October 10. The ginkgo tree is so sacred that birds cannot perch on it. Note, however, that there is a nest on the top of the tree. The ginkgo tree in Nongso, Seonsan has been kept well for a long period of time. Biologically valuable, it is designated as a Natural Monument.

Location