Ginkgo Tree of Seongdong-ri, Gangjin

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.385

Category

동식물

Designated year

1997

Location

강진군, 전라남도— 전남 강진군 병영면 성동리 70번지

Coordinates

34.720172, 126.820037

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 Seongdong-ri, Gangjin is about 800 years old, with height of approximately 32m and girth of about 7.2m. This ginkgo tree is in the center of the village. Legend has it that Hamel and his group from the Netherlands had stayed in Byeongyeong-myeon for about 7 years from 1656. Hamel wrote he saw a big old ginkgo tree then in his autobiography titled The Drift Story of Hamel. We assume that Hamel referred to this ginkgo tree. In another story, a government official rested on a pillow made of the branches of this broken ginkgo tree and got sick. Then, an old villager advised him to hold an appeasing ceremony for the ginkgo tree and stick the pillow on the ginkgo tree. The government servant followed it and got well. Since then, The villagers have performed ceremonies under this ginkgo tree every February. The ginkgo tree in Byeongyeong-myeon, Gangjin has been preserved well by descendants for a long period of time. Biologically valuable, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

Location