Historic Jeungpyeong trees to become furniture for new wooden hotel

In Jeungpyeong, South Korea, a unique initiative is breathing new life into aging trees, transforming them into elements of a new wooden hotel. The county is exploring ways to repurpose over 60-year-old trees from the former Yulri branch of Jukri Elementary School, aiming to craft furniture such as chairs and desks for the upcoming hotel.

The county government plans to allocate 30 million won in its initial budget for next year to facilitate the utilization of this timber. This decision stems from the historical significance of the trees, which were planted when the Yulri school opened in 1967, giving them a venerable age of over six decades. The move reflects a commitment to preserving the trees' legacy rather than discarding them.

This effort is linked to a larger project where Jeungpyeong County was selected by the Korea Forest Service for a demonstration project on wooden architecture using domestic timber. The county intends to invest 13 billion won to construct a wooden hotel on the 3,951 square meter site of the former Yulri school. A key requirement of the project is the use of over 50% domestic timber. Construction is slated to begin next year, with the hotel expected to open around 2028.

Jo Young-myung, an official at the Jeungpyeong County Recreation Land Business Office, emphasized the value seen in the trees. "Rather than cutting down the trees within the project site, we are seeking new ways to utilize them," he stated. "We believe the trees hold historical significance and value."

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Rather than cutting down the trees within the project site, we are seeking new ways to utilize them. We believe the trees hold historical significance and value.