Biggest fossilized tree in South Korea to become Natural Monument

Biggest fossilized tree in South Korea to become Natural Monument: Heritage / 연합뉴스 / 2022-11-04 11:45:38

▲This photo, provided by the Cultural Heritage Association show, 'Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL November 04 (Yonhap) -- “Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” which is considered as the greatest among fossilized tree will soon become a natural monument.

According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, addressed on Friday that “Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” discovered in 2009 at the road construction site located within the Geumgwang town, will be appointed as the natural monument.

“Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” was discovered during the process of constructing the bypass.

Fossil discovered by a team led by the professor Kim Hyang-mook from Pusan National Universty was transferred to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage located in Daejeon and went through three years of preservation period. Until recently fossil was stored within the storage room of national monument center.

Cultural Heritage Administration placed the “Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree” at the time of Cenozoic Era after carefully examining the fossil.

“Current Metasequoia or Sequoia seemed to be related to the fossil that was discovered” adding “In order to get a defined conclusion from the fossil, we need more time to examine.” addressed official from the Cultural Heritage Administration.

“Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” is compatible with other fossilized trees from foreign nations in size.

The height of the tree is 10.2m, and the width of the tree is 0.9 to 1.3m, which is currently the biggest fossilized tree found in South Korea.

Moreover, the knot, growth ring, and the cross section of the wood is almost perfectly preserved.

“This fossil helps us understand the environment and the nature which existed 2000 years ago, and from the surface to the core of the fossil it showcases various fossilization characteristics which demonstrates how trees become fossilized.” Cultural Heritage Association addressed.

If the “Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” gets appointed as a natural monument it will be the first case to have been awarded with the title in South Korea.

According to the Cultural Heritage Association fossilized tree in with such grand size is being protected with the title of natural monument or by appointing as a national park in foreign countries.

Cultural Heritage Association will be gathering up various opinions related to the appointment of “Pohang Geumgwang town’s fossilized tree from Cenozoic Era” as a natural monument for 30 days advance notice period and decide upon whether to give out the title or not.