Cork Oak of Sillim-dong, Seoul

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.271

Category

동식물

Designated year

1982

Location

관악구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 관악구 난곡로35길 28-7 (신림동, 건영아파트)

Coordinates

37.470234, 126.916701

"Cork oak trees grow Japan, China, and Korea. As a characteristic of these trees, they develop corks on bark. They survive well on dry soil facing the south or in rocky places. In particular, many of them are growing in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Bark from the tree is used to cork, and the fruits are edible. The tree in Sillim-dong is about 250 years old, with height of 16m and girth of 2.86m. According to tradition, Gang Gam-chan, a famous general of the Goryeo Dynasty, stuck a stick into the ground here as he was passing by, and it grew into this tree. However, considering its estimated age, it is also believed what is now at the site is the offspring of the original tree in the tradition. In the past, it was worshipped by the local community as a village guardian on January 15. Since the cork oak of Sillim-dong has been under our ancestors' care and protection and is biologically and historically valuable, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument."

Location