▲ This photo shows the tenacious 'Yulgongmae' during crisis. The Yulgongmae,a natural monument over 600 years old, in Ojukheon, Gangneung, has been in full bloom despite being judged to be virtually dead. (Yonhap)▲ This photo shows the light pink flowers in 'full bloom'. The Yulgongmae, a natural monument over 600 years old, in Ojukheon, Gangneung, has been in full bloom despite being judged to be virtually dead. (Yonhap)

 

▲ This photo shows the light pink flowers in 'full bloom'. The Yulgongmae, a natural monument over 600 years old, in Ojukheon, Gangneung, has been in full bloom despite being judged to be virtually dead. (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, Mar. 30 (Yonhap) -- The natural monument, Yulgongmae Plum Of Ojukheon House, Gangneung, which is more than 600 years old is a tenacious plant, blooming in full bloom although it was said to be dead.

The Yulgongmae is said to be planted by Choe Chi-un, an Ijochampan who built the Ojukheon House during the times of Sejong year 22 (year 1440) while Sin Saimdang and her son, Yulgok Yi I looked after the tree.

It is located at the back of Mongryongsil in Ojukheon and has attracted many tourists every year when the spring flowers bloomed. 

Although it was designated as a natural monument in 2007 and began protecting it ever since, in the spring of 2017, the leaves of the trees bloomed before it began to wither, leaving most of it dead.

For this reason, it was foreshadowed that it would take back its position as a natural monument at one point.

Currently, only a few branches are alive, but these branches are producing the pale pink flowers that are fully bloomed.

Previously, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it expects Ojukheon Yulgongmae, one of the four plum blossoms of South Korea along with Seonammae Plum, Gobulmae Plum, Heaeomsa Plum, would not bloom and would eventually die.

Despite that, the Yulgongmae are blooming on twigs from thick dead branches, making one feel sad yet strong.

From a distance, it looks like a small amount of flowers blooming from a dead tree, also showing a sense of tenacity.

Han (45, Gangneung), a tourist, said on the 29th, "Every spring, I used to visit the Ojukheon Yulgongmae to see whether the pink flowers would bloom, so I'm very happy to see at least a part of them blooming like this."

Gangneung City and its related organizations including the Cultural Heritage Administration are promoting measures to extend the lifespan of the Yulgongmae through improving the growing environment and by treating its roots.

Additionally, as a result of the genetic analysis of the plum tree near the Yulgongmae, it was confirmed that it has emerged from the Yulgongmae, and so the next year's tree nurturing project for the successor tree will be implemented in earnest.

 

(This article has been translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

 

 

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]