The Michelia compressa is an endangered tree found in only two regions of Korea, including the island. Researchers were therefore very pleased to discover the country’s largest specimen in a Hallasan Mountain valley. Joseph Kim has more.
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Michelia compressa

Towering giant column. Spreading branches abroad. Evergreen leaves.

In Korean, this tree is called “Choryeongmok”, since it is believed to call gods.

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Korea’s largest Michelia compressa found in Jeju

Korea’s largest Michelia compressa has been found in the valley of Hallasan mountain.

Discovered by The Korea Forest Research Center Subtropical Forest Institute, its height was recorded at 20m and width of almost 10m.

With a girth of over 150 cm, it is the largest of its kind in the nation.

It is even 4m taller than the previously recorded largest Michelia compressa in Namwon-eup, Shinryecheon.

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Rare species on IUCN Red List

Michelia compressa can normally be found in subtropical areas like Taiwan and is included in the IUCN Red List as a rare tree species.


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In Korea, grows only on Jeju and Heuksando Island

It is classified as grade 2 endangered wildlife, growing only in Jeju and Heuksando island in Korea.

Only two Michelia compressa trees have been found in Jeju so far.

The recently discovered Michelia compressa is well-shaped and very healthy and it is expected to be used to raise the genetic variety of the endangered tree.

Interview
Song Gwan-pil / Korea Forest Research Institute
Since the Michelia compressa is a very rare tree, even classified as endangered, this find means a lot. From it, we can increase genetic variation.
<인터뷰 : 송관필 / 국립산림과학원 박사>
"초령목은 멸종위기종으로 지정될 만큼 희귀한 종이에요. 이렇게 자생지가 발견됐다는 것은 유전적 다양성을 확보하는데 상당히 중요한
역할을 하게 됩니다. 그래서 증식할 수 있는 자원을 마련하는 기틀을 짜게 됐다고 봅니다."

Accordingly, the Subtropical Forest Institute is planning to preserve the Michelia compressa and conduct more research to further propagate the species.

Interview
Jeong Seong-cheol / Subtropical Forest Institute
To preserve this Michelia compressa, we are going to conduct additional research and cultivate trees from its lineage.
<인터뷰 : 정성철 / 난대·아열대산림연구소 연구사>
"이번에 발견된 초령목을 보존·관리하기 위해 난대 아열대산림연구소에서는 추가적인 조사와 더불어 종자수집이라던지 후계목육성을 지속적으로 해 나갈 계획입니다.

With the discovery of the nation’s largest michelia compressa, the value of Jeju’s nature has increased greatly.

Joseph Kim, KCTV