Jeongipumsong Pine Tree, Natural monument pine tree in Boeun-gun, South Korea.
The Jeongipumsong Pine Tree stands in the middle of the road leading to Beopjusa Temple on Songnisan. It is about 600 years old, 14.5 m tall, with a trunk circumference of 4.77 m at breast height. Its crown was originally shaped like a conical hat or open umbrella, but in 1993 a strong wind broke its large western branch, altering its form.
In 1464 King Sejo of Joseon passed under the pine on his way to Beopjusa Temple; the branches, said to have lowered, lifted for his palanquin, and he granted the tree the honorary rank of jeongipum, equivalent to a minister. It was designated Natural Monument No. 103 on 7 December 1962 under the name Jeongipumsong of Songni, and renamed to its current title in 2008.
The name comes from a story told about King Sejo: in 1464, on his way to Beopjusa, the royal palanquin was caught by a low branch, and the pine lifted it so he could pass. The king granted the tree the rank of jeongipum, a senior official grade, and it has been called Jeongipumsong since. A nearby pine in Seowon-ri is nicknamed Jeongbuingun, the "lady" paired with this "minister".
Walking trails from nearby towns provide access to the tree, with informational signs describing its characteristics on site. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when natural light illuminates details of the bark and branch structure.
In the early 1980s, damage from pine needle gall midges led to a large, costly insect-proof net being erected around the tree. Its crown was originally shaped like a neat open umbrella, but in 1993 a strong wind broke off a large western side branch, changing its form.
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