Dokyacheong 'Namhae Geumsan Julsacheolnamu' to Become a Gyeongnam Province Monument

Estimated 150 Years Old, Growing Alone Clinging to Rocks Near Boriam Temple

Geumsan Julsacheolnamu in Sangju-myeon, Namhae-gun, scheduled to be designated as a Gyeongnam Province monument.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Julsacheolnamu tree on Geumsan Mountain in Sangju-myeon, Namhae-gun, Gyeongnam, is set to become a provincial monument.

The Namhae Geumsan Julsacheolnamu grows clinging to a rock about 600 meters above sea level on the summit of Geumsan Mountain (Bongsudae).

The tree is estimated to be 150 years old, with a height of 3.8 meters, a maximum branch and leaf spread of 3.6 meters, and a base diameter of 8.5 cm.

It is a woody vine and evergreen climbing plant, with roots growing from the stem that cling to or climb rocks or trees.

As a nationally designated natural monument, the Julsacheolnamu colony on Maisan Mountain in Jinan is designated, where trees form colonies attached to the cliffs of Maisan.

The Namhae Geumsan Julsacheolnamu near Boriam Temple in Sangju-myeon grows as a solitary single stem, unlike the Jinan Maisan tree colony, making it a very rare case in Korea.

It is regarded as an important ecological resource because it has adapted and grown for about 150 years relying on the rock, adjusting to the surrounding vegetation and climate environment.

On the rock to which the Julsacheolnamu clings, there are engraved names of visitors to Geumsan during the Joseon Dynasty, which serve as historical records proving that officials such as Gwanchalsa, Moksa, and Busa frequently visited Geumsan.

Gyeongsangnam-do plans to designate it as a provincial monument after collecting and reviewing opinions from various sectors during a 30-day notice period and undergoing a cultural heritage committee review.

Kim Ok-nam, head of the Gaya Cultural Heritage Division, said, “We will actively cooperate with the managing organization, Namhae-gun, to systematically and continuously preserve the Namhae Geumsan Julsacheolnamu and do our best to utilize it as a local historical and cultural resource.”