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Ancient 'Grandmother Tree' Falls Amidst Heatwave in South Korean Village

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A nearly 200-year-old protected zelkova tree, affectionately known as 'Grandmother Tree,' has fallen in Hoehyeon Village, Yeongam County, South Korea, during a prolonged heatwave.
  • Villagers are bewildered by the tree's sudden collapse, noting the absence of strong winds on the day it fell, leading some to speculate about unusual circumstances.
  • Experts suggest the tree, weakened by internal decay and cavities, succumbed to the extreme heat and the weight of water absorbed during the heatwave, leading to its toppling.

A beloved 200-year-old protected zelkova tree, known to locals in Hoehyeon Village, Yeongam County, as the 'Grandmother Tree,' has toppled over during a relentless heatwave. The incident occurred on a sweltering day, leaving residents bewildered and saddened by the loss of a long-standing landmark.

It's a mystery.

— Park Seung-soonThe village head of Hoehyeon Village, expressing surprise and disbelief at the sudden toppling of the ancient tree.

Villagers described the event with a sense of mystery, recalling that there was not a breath of wind when the tree crashed down. "It's a mystery," said village head Park Seung-soon, initially disbelieving the news. Another resident, Kim Soon-an, 91, humorously noted, "Trees, like people, fall when they get old." Despite the lighthearted remark, a somber mood prevails as the community mourns the loss of the tree that had stood watch over their village for generations.

Trees, like people, fall when they get old.

— Kim Soon-anA 91-year-old resident, offering a philosophical perspective on the fallen tree.

Residents shared that they used to hold traditional village ceremonies, 'Dangsanje,' in front of the tree, praying for the village's well-being. "The protected tree used to keep our entire village healthy," said Park. The tree's sudden collapse has understandably caused anxiety among the villagers, who saw it as a protective guardian.

The protected tree used to keep our entire village healthy.

— Park Seung-soonThe village head, reflecting on the tree's historical significance as a guardian of the community.

An official from Yeongam County and a tree doctor who examined the fallen tree suggested that extreme weather conditions likely contributed to its demise. The tree, already weakened by several cavities and decay in its trunk, could no longer withstand the combined stress of its own weight, the absorbed water during the heatwave, and the unusual environmental conditions. "The core issue is that old, aged trees like this protected tree are not sturdy," explained a tree specialist. "When the ground absorbs water, the tree draws it up, and it couldn't bear the weight."

The core issue is that old, aged trees like this protected tree are not sturdy. When the ground absorbs water, the tree draws it up, and it couldn't bear the weight.

— Tree specialistExplaining the likely cause of the tree's collapse, citing age, decay, and water absorption during the heatwave.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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