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The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA, Administrator: Choi Eung-Chon) plans to designate the 'East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon', a protected tree in Changwon (designated on July 16, 2015), as a Natural Monument on August 30 at the Cultural Heritage Committee(the 7th Natural Heritage Subcommittee) held at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Jongno-gu, Seoul on August 24.     

East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon is a tree that became a national topic as it was widely known to the public as "Sodeok-dong's Hackberry" through the series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Reflecting the national interest, the CHA conducted an investigation with three members of the Cultural Heritage Committee (Natural Heritage Subcommittee) in the field of plants and traditional landscape architecture on July 29 under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act to review the value of the tree as a natural monument.

Hackberry (paeng-namu) is commonly found around the port where the sea and the river meet, therefore it was also called "paegu-namu," It is a typical Dangsan-namu (village guardian tree) that grows large over a long time and forms shade as its fruits become food for migratory birds. East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon, shows the growth characteristics well and has long been the center of the Dongbu village community in the agricultural society. Only two Hackberries have been designated as Natural Monuments before, Hwangmokgeun (East Asian Hackberry) in Geumnam-ri, Yecheon, and East Asian Hackberry of Sudong-ri, Gochang.

East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon is an approximately 500-year-old tree with a height of 16 meters, a breast height of 6.8 meters, and a crown width of 27 meters and the size of the tree is comparable to East Asian Hackberries in Geumnam-ri, Yecheon, and Sudong-ri, Gochang, which were previously designated as Natural Monuments.

In particular, the tree shape with a wide crown is beautiful and the growth condition is good. And the wide plains of Hanam-eup and Daesan-myeon spread north and south along the Nakdonggang River from the hill where the hackberry is located, and the unique scenic value is also excellent as the towering tree on the plains far from the hill is spectacular.

* Other East Asian Hackberry already designated as a Natural Monument

The existence of East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon was widely known to the public by the Dong-A Ilbo's report, which featured its villagers and the tree during the flood in 1934. The investigation conducted by the CHA confirmed that a Danseon-am(Dangjip, temple) has existed next to the tree for many years and that the village tradition was handed down where villagers held Dangsanje(a village ritual at Dangsan Shrine) on the first day of the 10th lunar month every year, making the hackberry valuable in terms of living history and folklore, through oral testimony and historical records.

Jung Ssang-Yi, the chief monk of Dangseon-am, testified, "For the past 90 years, myself and the late monk Jung Gong have overseen the ritual and continued the tradition of Dangsanje in Dongbu Village, Bukbu-ri, Changwon, and the village actively supported by giving a patch of rice paddy to hold Dangsanje."

The planned designation of East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon as a Natural Monument is all the more meaningful in that it comprehensively confirms the historic, academic, and scenic values while being recognized for combining the natural heritage of Hackberry with the intangible heritage of Dangsanje.

Meanwhile, the CHA held a briefing session for village residents with local governments from the early stage of preparing for the designation and communicated directly on the difficulties of residents concerning the possible infringement of property rights when designating a natural monument. In addition, the CHA and Changwon City has made various efforts to protect the tree from any damage and improve surrounding environment by improving visitor traffic using temporary pavement facilities, installing protective fences and temporary toilets to resolve inconveniences for residents due to the increased visitors.

The CHA will continue to strive for systematic management of local communities collapsed by COVID-19 and old big trees on the verge of extinction due to climate change, and actively discover and designate potential heritage as Natural Monuments to serve as the center of the local community.

The Cultural Heritage Administration will receive opinions for 30 days on the planned designation of East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon, as a National Monument before making a final decision.

In addition, the CHA will actively cooperate with local governments and residents to manage East Asian Hackberry of Bukbu-ri, Changwon, to contribute to the enhancement of opportunities to enjoy natural heritage, promote public convenience, and develop coexistent local development.