Yulgongmae Plum of Ojukheon House, Gangneung

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.484

Category

동식물

Designated year

2007

Location

강릉시, 강원특별자치도— 강원 강릉시 율곡로3139번길 24 (죽헌동)

Coordinates

37.779230, 128.877403

This plum tree is said to have been planted sometime around 1400 when Ojukheon House was built. It is said that Sin Saimdang (1504-1551) and her son, Yi I (1536-1584, pen-name: Yulgok), personally looked after the tree. Indeed, Lady Sin loved plum trees so much that she even named her eldest daughter Maechang, meaning “a window by the plum.” As a painter she often depicted plum trees as well. This tree, which was probably already rather large by the time she was born, formed an important part of her childhood memories and enabled her to depict plum trees so adroitly later on. The tree has pale pink flowers that reach full bloom around March 20, spreading a subtle fragrance throughout the ancient house. The tree yields much larger fruit than most other plum trees.

Location