Suwon No. 2 Protected Tree: Ginkgo Tree in Gwonseon-dong to Undergo Growth Environment Improvement

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City announced on the 7th that it will improve the growth environment of the ginkgo tree in Gwonseon-dong (10-20, Sewon-ro 207 Gil, Gwonseon-gu), which is designated as Suwon No. 2 Protected Tree.

Following a precision inspection of the Suwon No. 2 Protected Tree in October, the city discovered cavities inside the tree and decay progressing on pruned branches and the trunk. There was a risk that the tree could be felled by wind and rain, or branches could fall and die.

The growth environment improvement work, which began on the 4th, will continue through the 9th. Surgical work will be performed, and branches showing decay or dead branches will be removed. Metal support frames will also be installed at four locations.

The Suwon No. 2 Protected Tree ginkgo is said to have been planted by Yi Go (李皐), a Hanyeom Scholar (翰林學士) during the late Goryeo period. After leaving his official position, he moved to Suwon to live, where he taught his students to "live with benevolence and goodness," and planted the ginkgo tree on his homestead. The tree stands 15.7 meters tall with a circumference (at breast height) of 4.3 meters.

Yoon Jae-geun, head of the city's Green Space and Landscape Division, said, "Based on precise diagnosis by tree specialists, we will conduct customized improvement work to strengthen the tree's vigor and ensure public safety," and added, "We will continue to monitor the protected tree regularly so it can grow well."

The city is intensively managing the protected tree through specialized tree hospital companies. Tree specialists and the city conduct regular comprehensive inspections of the protected tree.