Gwangju Dong-gu, 'Taesanmok' on the Brink of Death Gains New Life Through Public-Private Cooperation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] A Taesan tree that was at risk of being cut down due to the construction of a public parking lot at Daein Market in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has found a new home thanks to the swift response of both the public and private sectors.

According to Dong-gu on the 4th, in the vacant lot in front of the Daein Market Merchants' Association office stood a 30-year-old Taesan tree, 10 meters tall, which provided cool shade to merchants and visitors.

On days when the Daein Art Night Market was held, it served as a beautiful backdrop for the performance stage, and when its pure white flowers were in full bloom, it was loved as a popular 'photo zone' for visitors.

However, since last month, with the start of the construction of the Daein Market public parking lot, the Taesan tree faced a life-or-death situation. To build a three-story parking tower, it was inevitable to cut down the tree.

Upon hearing this news, a local resident requested help from the Green Road Association and Dong-gu to find a way to save the Taesan tree.

As a result, Professor Jo Dong-beom of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Chonnam National University, along with members of the Green Road Association and Dong-gu officials, put their heads together and decided to transplant the tree to Green Road Park.

With the help of a professional landscaping company, Dong-gu used a backhoe and a 5-ton truck to safely relocate and replant the Taesan tree at the starting point of Gyerim-dong in Green Road Park on the 17th of last month.

A Dong-gu official stated, “We plan to provide special care, including administering nutrients for about a year until the tree fully takes root,” and added, “We thank everyone who worked hard to give the Taesan tree a new life.”

Im Taek, head of Dong-gu Office, said, “While the construction of the public parking lot is an important matter, I was deeply moved by the cooperation between the public and private sectors to save a single tree,” and added, “We will strive even harder to create a sustainable city where people and nature coexist through open administration.”