55, Bijasup-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea
제주 제주시 구좌읍 비자숲길 55
Designated and protected as a natural monument.
There are around 2,800 Torreya trees aged between 500 to 800 years. These trees grow exceptionally slow, increasing in height by only about 1.5cm each year. Even after a century, their diameter does not exceed 20cm. Considering that even the slowest-growing pine trees grow at least 30cm in height and 3mm in diameter annually, we can see how remarkably slow the tree’s growth speed is. It’s amazing how this Torreya forest has survived for such a long time, because Jeju went through various wars throughout the history including its recent tragic 4.3 incident.
Although the sunlight, water, and nutrients the trees receive are probably similar. their growth rate is only 1/20th in comparison. It must be very dense the tree structure. The accumulated nutrients must also be highly concentrated. Probably this is why the wood is elastic, fragrant, and used to make items like Go boards. It says it’s also resilient to moisture, making it suitable for essential parts of buildings in the past.
Maybe it’s the weight of time that lingers in the forest, or maybe it’s the concentrated essence of the Torreya tree’s energy, there came an indescribable wave of emotion when I stepped into the shaded forest path. Hearing the rustling leaves overhead brought tears to my eyes. Is this beauty? No, simply calling it “beautiful” seems inadequate. Let’s just say it’s an “inexplicable emotion.”
The forest isn’t vast. A leisurely walk took about an hour and a half. Observing foreigners jogging with heart rate monitors and a couple (possibly sister-in-law and brother-in-law) eagerly chatting about life experiences walking fast, I pondered about life. If we aim for functionality, we can certainly live efficiently. Running through a forest filled with phytoncides, supplying lungs with fresh oxygen, eating a diet based on well designed nutrient tables, researching and contemplating how to amass knowledge and wealth with minimal effort – a life dominated by “efficiency.” What are we racing towards? Accumulated experiences? Wisdom from those experiences? A well-developed physique? A healthy body to ensure comfort throughout life?
My thoughts continued to the existence of an 800-year-old Torreya tree. Trees don’t have mind, so time must not exist for them. Whether it’s 800 years ago, 100 years ago, yesterday, or today, to the tree, it must be a moment that is infinite. The emotions this forest evokes, the living trees we appreciate, and even the chopped wood – all reside within human minds. No matter how much we wish to nurture and save trees out of love, such desires are only in the cubical space of joys and sorrows of a man. To a tree, life and death must be just phenomena without any labels.
Highly recommend to visit.
Open year-round, 09:00 – 18:00.
Entrance fee: Adults 3,000 won, Youths 1,500 won.
my alien mom 