Hyangnamu (Aromatic Tree) in Changdeokgung (Palace)
- Item : Natural Monument No 194
- Quantity and Volume : one, 314㎡
- Designated Day : 1968. 03.04
- Site : Changdeokgung, 2071, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Maintaining Agency : Cultural Heritage Administration
Aromatic trees inhabit in the south of the central areas of Korea and Japan and is also called Sangnamu (tree) or old pine tree. As this tree has strong aroma, it is used as garden trees and park trees or material to burn incense for religious services.
The aromatic tree in Changdeokgung(Palace) is estimated to be about 700 years old and 12m in height and 5.9m in girth around the roots. The branches spread into four points. A branch to the south is cracked, one to the north is dead, one to the east is deformed into a winding figure. Its figure looks like a dragon flying to the sky.
Its age is estimated to be 700 years old because Changdeokgung (Palace) was built as a secondary palace in the 4th year of Taejong (King, 1404) in the Joseon Dynasty but trees might have been planted somewhat grown there after building the palace.
As the aromatic tree in Changdeokgung (Palace) has been taken care of by our ancestors for a long time it is very valuable for cultural material. It is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.