Jeongipumsong

Jeongipumsong
The Jeongipumsong tree
Interactive map of Jeongipumsong
Native name	정이품송 (Korean)
Species	Pinus densiflora
Location	Boeun County, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
Coordinates	36°32′16.7″N 127°50′01.6″E
Height	15 metres (49 ft)

Jeongipumsong (Korean: 정이품송; Hanja: 正二品松) is a historically significant Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) located at the foot of the mountain Songnisan in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Estimated to be around 600 years old, the tree is designated Natural Monument of South Korea No. 103 by the South Korean government. Its name translates to "Second Senior Rank Pine Tree", a ministerial title legendarily bestowed upon it by King Sejo of the Joseon dynasty in the 15th century.

Etymology

The name Jeongipumsong literally translates to "Pine Tree of Second Senior Rank" (正二品松). The title refers to a civil service rank in the traditional Joseon dynasty's official ranking system, which ranged from first to ninth grade, each with junior (jong) and senior (jeong) levels. The tree was conferred the honorary title of Jeongipum, equivalent to a high court rank, in an act of symbolic reverence.

Legend and history

The Jeongipumsong is associated with a legend about King Sejo (세조; r. 1455–1468), the seventh king of the Joseon dynasty. In 1464, King Sejo was traveling to the famous Beopjusa Temple (법주사), located on Mount Songni, to pray and recover from an illness. As the king's royal palanquin, known as a gama (가마), approached the site, its path was blocked by the low-hanging branches of the pine tree. When his attendants prepared to cut the branches, the tree is said to have lifted them by itself, allowing the royal procession to pass underneath without obstruction.

The legend says that King Sejo was impressed by the incident and gave the tree the court rank of Jeong-i-pum (정2품; 正二品). This was the First Senior Rank in the Joseon dynasty, equivalent to that of a modern cabinet minister. The legend also says that, on his way back from the temple, Sejo and his entourage took shelter from a sudden downpour under the broad canopy of the same tree.

The tree is estimated to be around 600 years old. It stands approximately 15 metres (50 ft) tall, with a girth of 4.5 m (15 ft) measured at breast height.

Over the centuries, the Jeongipumsong has been damaged by severe weather and disease. In 1993, a powerful typhoon accompanied by heavy snowfall broke its western branch, changing its well-known symmetrical shape. Further damage from strong winds and snow, as well as pine wilt disease, has affected the tree's structure and health.

The Jeongipumsong was designated as Natural Monument No. 103 on 3 December 1962. The tree is managed by the Cultural Heritage Administration, and public access is allowed, although the tree itself is protected by a perimeter to prevent damage. The site is also visited by tourists and for educational purposes.

Seeds and scions have been collected from the Jeongipumsong. Its direct offspring and clones have been planted at significant locations throughout South Korea, including the Blue House, the Independence Hall of Korea, and various government complexes.

Jeongbuinsong

Main article: Pine Tree of Seowon-ri, Boeun

About 6 km (4 mi) away from Jeongipumsong, another ancient pine tree called "Jeongbuinsong" was designated as Natural Monument No. 352. It is considered the "wife" of the Jeongipumsong, and ceremonial "weddings" have been held to ritually pollinate the two trees.

See also

• Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
• Natural Monuments of South Korea
• King Sejo of Joseon
• Pinus densiflora
• Confucianism in Korea