Andong City, Natural Monument 'Yonggyeri Ginkgo Tree' Foundation Subsiding... "Support Facilities to Be Replaced"

First Tree Stability Survey Since Transplanting 27 Years Ago Due to Imha Dam Construction

Scenery of the natural monument Ginkgo tree in Yonggye-ri, Andong-si.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Andong City announced on the 23rd that it has completed a comprehensive stability investigation and research on the growth condition and safety of support facilities of the Andong Yonggyeri Ginkgo Tree, Natural Monument No. 175.

The Yonggyeri Ginkgo Tree, which was at risk of being submerged due to the construction of Imha Dam, was transplanted about 27 years ago in 1994 at a height of approximately 15 meters. Estimated to be about 700 years old, this tree stands 37 meters tall with a circumference of 14 meters and symbolizes the transplantation of the largest tree in the world.

At the time of transplantation, H-beams were used as above-ground reinforcement structures, but problems such as "differential settlement" appeared in these steel structures, prompting this investigation. "Differential settlement" refers to the uneven sinking of a structure's foundation ground in areas with poor soil conditions, such as reclaimed land.

The stability investigation and research were divided into two main parts: the growth condition of the Yonggyeri Ginkgo Tree and the adequacy of the support facilities.

Regarding the growth condition of the ginkgo tree, precise instruments such as a vitality meter and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measured that about 80% of the leaf size, new branch growth, and root development had recovered.

Along with this, it was concluded that due to construction method issues with the H-beam support facilities used during transplantation, aging at joints, and severe decay of the ginkgo tree’s trunk and branches, replacement of the support facilities is inevitable.

An official from Andong City stated, "Based on this investigation, we plan to receive annual budgets from the Cultural Heritage Administration to systematically improve the preservation and management of the Yonggyeri Ginkgo Tree, including projects to improve the tree’s growth environment and install and maintain support structures."