Jindo Unrimsanbang Crape Myrtle Selected as Tree of the Year

Highly Praised for Beautiful Form in the Old Tree Category
Korea Forest Service to Provide Up to 25 Million Won for Environmental Improvements

A view of the crape myrtle at Unlim Sanbang. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do announced on the 15th that the crepe myrtle tree (baerongnamu) at Unrimsanbang in Jindo (315 Unrimsanbang-ro, Uisin-myeon) has been selected by the Korea Forest Service as the "2025 Tree of the Year."

The Korea Forest Service's selection of the 2025 Tree of the Year aims to widely promote not only the ecological and scenic value of protected trees, such as their charm, beauty, and form, but also their humanistic value, including the history of coexistence with people. It also seeks to discover old trees that require preservation and management.

Across the country, a total of 10 trees from 8 species, including pine, black pine, and willow (5 protected trees and 5 old trees), were finally selected. In Jeollanam-do, the crepe myrtle tree in Jindo was chosen in the old tree category.

Unrimsanbang is an art studio where Heo Ryeon, a master of Southern-style painting during the Joseon Dynasty, spent his later years. As a representative scenic site of Jindo, it features a pond and garden, and the approximately 95-year-old crepe myrtle tree on the artificial island in the pond blooms throughout the summer and maintains its beautiful appearance year-round, completing the natural landscape of Unrimsanbang.

The Korea Forest Service praised the crepe myrtle tree for its beautiful form, harmony with the surrounding natural scenery, and its embodiment of the "beauty of harmony," which is highly valued in traditional Korean gardens.

With this selection, the tree is expected to be designated as a protected tree, and green funds ranging from 20 million to a maximum of 25 million won will be allocated for environmental improvement and promotion. Various maintenance projects, including clearing the area around the old tree, installing information signs, and improving the environment, are planned.