• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.215-233
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• 2014

Seoul is an ancient city with a long history but there is hesitancy over referring to as a historic city due to the lack of traceable historic urban landscape elements which resulted from numerous invasions and general destruction. From a diachronic perspective, the nature which was survived the influence of development, could be the key element that links the past with the city's radically changed image in modern times. Although "old big trees" may be not a dominant influence with regards to the historical authenticity of the city, they are objects which contribute towards the historical authenticity by providing a sense of place in terms of connected narratives, as well as their natural image. However, the protection policy for an "old big tree" would place too much emphasis on the aspect of the ecological value rather than its cultural value. Generally, trees have been protected by installing a fence and a signboard around them as well as receiving additional care. However, it is difficult to find that surrounding space around the "law-protected tree" is connected with its original historical and cultural values. Even though the space around trees are no longer utilized in the same way as was so in the past, they still have high-potential in terms of cultural utilization. Therefore, the subject of this study is the "old big tree" as a natural object which contributed to the historical authenticity of Seoul. The current status of these "old big trees", aged between 100 and 800 years old, currently indicate that there are 215 trees designated as "law-protected tree" by the Seoul metropolitan government. This study aims to investigate the status of protection and utilization of the existing "law-protected trees" in the city of Seoul and find a way to increase both ecological preservation and cultural utilization for the high-potential "law-protected trees" within the city itself. In order to achieve this, previously researched papers shall be reviewed and surveyed pertaining to present usage patterns of the 215 "law-protected trees". In addition, five cases have been reviewed which focus on a few of utilizing the "protected trees" and their surrounding spaces. The results of the research indicate that 21 "old big trees" have high-potential in terms of cultural utilization as well as ecological value. However, it was revealed that there are limitations to pursue the value of preservation and utilization simultaneously throughout current regimental management. In order to cope with the current situation, it is pointed out that management facilities should be designed and installed by creative and flexible methods of organizing with consideration to the surrounding space and context. Even though in the case where there may not be a connecting history or legendary stories, the "old big trees" can serve as the fundamental features of small scale parks -dependent on their location, condition and environment- which will be of value to the local communities. This study could serve as a practical reference for the management and utilization of "old big trees" nationwide with numbers reaching 12,300 besides the city of Seoul.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.28-36
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• 2012

Forests are one of the basic assets nearest our daily lives that provide the foundation of life necessities, culture and even survival. These assets pervade local residents' lives as culture and the necessities of life, and they will be handed down to posterity. Therefore, this study was conducted to carry out a field survey on old trees, plant communities and forests in the southern coastal areas in Korea, where not many surveys were not conducted on the forest cultural assets, further examining a possibility that some of the trees should be designated as law-protected. As for the survey of plants, this study investigated 80 different spots of old trees, plant communities and forests, located in 11 cities and counties in Gyengnam Province and Jeonnam Province adjacent to the southern coast of Korea. To measure the health and actual maintenance conditions of old trees and plant communities objectively, the standard of judgment was established through the brain storming of experts. As a result of the field survey, out of all the old trees and plant communities that are not law-protected, this study selected old trees and plant communities that are in good health and likely to pass the standard of designating law-protected trees according to the Established Rule 574 of the Korea Forest Service Regulation. As for the plant community and old trees likely to be law-protected, this study judged that the torreya forest in Naneum Li, Namhae and old trees in 13 spots, in cluding so-called 'Couple Pine Tree' in Pyeongsa Li, Hadong, have a high possibility of being designated as a law-protected plant community and old trees. As for the species of old trees, there were 3 zelkova serrata trees, 3 celtis sinensis persoon trees, 2 pinus densiflora trees, 1 castanopsis cuspidata tree, 1 salix chaenomeloides tree and 1 machilus thunbergii tree found in the survey areas. Overall, this study judged that those old trees and plant communities require a national systematic maintenance by being designated as law-protected ones, and their values should be handed down to posterity as our forest cultural assets.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2010

Law-protected trees are our precious asset as natural resources with history and tradition and natural heritage which should be protected and maintained well to bequeath next generation. Law-protected trees have not only thremmatologic and genetic meaning but also environmental and emotional meaning for their value to be high. This study investigated location, vitality, wrapping condition of root area and status of maintenance of the trees to figure out their growth environment and status of maintenance in a small-middle city through survey on those of law-protected trees in Je-cheon. There showed 300 more year old trees in Je-cheon mostly and the number of trees located in flat fields was the highest. For location type, village, hill and road types were presented in the order and for degree of development, land for building was found most frequently. The average electric resistance of the formative layer was measured to be $8.4k{\Omega}$ and four trees showed bark separation. Most law-protected trees underwent tree surgery, and complete bareness of root area was observed in a tree. The root area of two trees was covered with concrete. pH of soil was recorded to be 5.0~8.4 with its average of 7.1 and electric conductivity(EC) was less than 0.5 dS/m. For status of maintenance rearing facilities were placed for 16 trees out of totally 48 ones and stone fence was done for three ones. Tree surgery was conducted for 33 trees to prevent and to treat decomposed parts of holes. Direction boards were installed for 23 trees. Based on these results, measures to manage systematically law-protected trees in Jecheon could be suggested as follows. First, a sufficient space for growth of low part of trees should be secured. Second, a voluntary management should be induced by advertising them to residents in a community. Third, rearing facilities and direction boards of law-protected trees should be placed and related education should be conducted. Fourth, through operation of the department for law-protected trees consisting of related professions and cooperation among related departments the trees should be maintained continuously.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.69-83
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• 2011

The aim of the research was to provide basic information for a suitable management and utilization of protected trees by law. To achieve this aim, this study investigated the current state, management status and utilization of protected trees by law in Gyeongsan city. The result of the current state of protected trees indicated that there were 55 protected trees designated since 1982. These trees consisted of 8 species which were located at 41 places. Major species was Sophora japonica (30.9%), followed by Zelkova serrata (23.6%). The protected trees have been used as sacred trees (45.5%) in the villages, followed by scenic trees (36.7%). 38.2% of the protected trees were 200 to 300 years old and 54.6% of the trees were 15 to 30 m in height. 34% of the protected trees were located in the villages, followed by beside road (19.5%). Single trees (78%) were mostly planted. The result of the management status indicated that 58.5% of the root area in protected trees were covered with bare ground, followed by gravel mulch (19.5%). The average of soil hardness was 9.64 mm. The safety fence of tree was installed at 9 places (22%) and a stone wall was built at 22 places (53.7%). 70.9% of the protected trees had a surgical operation to prevent cavities and to cure decay. Granite stone signs were installed at 33 places. The result of the utilization of protected trees indicated that 13 places were used as a rest area in the villages. It consisted of shelters, benches, athletic facilities and outdoor tables. The research suggested potential places for a mini park(pocket park) to recover a local community by using surrounding available land and improving current rest areas of protected trees. The research presented here is a first step towards a more comprehensive analysis of protected trees in Gyeongsan and further research is needed.