Ginkgo Tree of Yasa-ri, Hwasun

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.303

Category

동식물

Designated year

1982

Location

화순군, 전라남도— 전남 화순군 이서면 야사리 182-1번지 4필

Coordinates

35.110725, 127.077916

A ginkgo tree can be as old as a fossil. Distributed in Japan, China, and Korea, the tree was introduced along with Confucianism and Buddhism from China. The tree has beautiful leaves in autumn, undamaged by harmful insects, and provides large, cool shade. Therefore, it is planted often as arbor or roadside tree. The ginkgo tree of Yasa-ri, Hwasun is about 500 years old, with height of about 27m and girth of 9.12m and it is presumed to have been planted when the village emerged. Because villagers believed that it has supernatural power to predict the country's fate, it has long been worshipped by the local community as a village guardian. Villagers prayed to this tree for a new year's rich harvest and good luck on January 15 by the lunar calendar. Since the ginkgo tree of Yasa-ri is biologically valuable and has been preserved well by our ancestors for a long time, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

Location