National Institute of Forest Science, Verification Using Digital Growth Information
Wonju City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor Won Kang-su) announced on the 26th that the Wonju History Museum requested the National Institute of Forest Science to measure the exact age of the natural monument ‘Wonju Banggyeri Ginkgo Tree,’ which has recently attracted many tourists, and the analysis revealed that the tree is 1,317 years old.
The age of the Natural Monument No. 167, 'Wonju Bangyeri Ginkgo Tree,' located in Bangye-ri, Munmak-eup, Wonju-si, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, was scientifically measured by the National Institute of Forest Science and analyzed to be 1,317 years old. Photo by Wonju City Hall
When designated as a natural monument in 1964, the age was estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 years, but through scientific analysis by the National Institute of Forest Science, the objective age was confirmed, enabling accurate age information to be provided to visitors.
The Wonju Banggyeri Ginkgo Tree has seven trunks in a multi-stemmed form, and although genetic analysis between each individual is necessary for precise analysis, considering that it is recorded as a single tree in the natural monument register of the Cultural Heritage Administration, the analysis was based on the tree’s height (32m) and circumference (16.27m).
Age investigation of old trees typically involves extracting a core sample to analyze DNA, but since direct core extraction is difficult for living natural monuments, the National Institute of Forest Science utilized digital growth information from LiDAR scan surveys based on an age estimation database.
An official from Wonju City stated, “We will promptly reflect the age information of the Wonju Banggyeri Ginkgo Tree in consultation with the Cultural Heritage Administration and actively promote it.”
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