Korea Forest Service Begins Restoration of Natural Monument No.1 'Dodong Thuja Forest'

The Korea Forest Service is rolling up its sleeves to restore the ‘Dodong Thuja Forest’.

According to the Korea Forest Service on the 26th, the Dodong Thuja Forest is the southernmost Thuja grove in South Korea, estimated to have survived for over 500 years. This forest consists of a cluster of about 1,200 Thuja trees, each 5 to 7 meters tall.

Thuja is a type of rare plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, and the Dodong Thuja Forest was also designated as the country’s first natural monument in 1962.

However, broadleaf trees and kudzu vines are expanding their territory in the forest, threatening the decline and withering of the Thuja trees.

Heo Nam-cheol, Director of Forest Ecological Restoration at the Korea Forest Service (second from the left), is sharing opinions on restoration plans for the 'Dodong Thuja Forest' at the expert forum held on the 25th. Photo by Korea Forest Service

In response, the Korea Forest Service held a meeting yesterday at the Thuja Fragrance Community Center in Dong-gu, Daegu, where experts gathered to discuss restoring the Dodong Thuja Forest to a state close to its original form.

About 20 stakeholders, including representatives from the Korea Forest Service, the Cultural Heritage Administration (in charge of natural monuments), the National Institute of Forest Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu City, and local Dangsan grandfathers, convened to explore ways to restore the Dodong Thuja Forest.

The participants mainly agreed on removing invasive plants to prevent ecological disturbance, considering the ecological characteristics of Thuja trees growing mainly in cliff crevices, and on promoting grass cutting, slope protection, and stone stacking to prevent soil runoff and erosion.

Based on this, the Korea Forest Service plans to collaborate with Daegu City and local civic groups to nurture successor trees capable of continuing the lineage in preparation for damage to the Thuja trees and to carry out the restoration project using eco-friendly methods.

Heo Nam-cheol, head of the Forest Ecological Restoration Division at the Korea Forest Service, said, “The Thuja forest has high historical and cultural preservation value. We will do our best to unite the intentions of local residents and experts so that the Dodong Thuja Forest can regain its original lush state from 500 years ago.”