Suseongsong Pine Tree in Seongnae-ri, Haenam

Suseongsong Pine Tree in Seongnae-ri, Haenam, a 400-year-old black pine in front of Haenam County Office

This tree is a 'bear pine' in the front yard of Haenam County Office, and it is estimated to be a little over 400 years old. It is 17 m tall and 3.38 m around at chest height, and a single thick trunk rises and then spreads into many branches.

Suseongsong Pine Tree in Seongnae-ri, Haenam: Magistrate Byeon Hyeop, who drove off Japanese raiders, and the origin of the name

In 1555 (the 10th year of King Myeongjong), more than 60 Japanese ships invaded present-day Namchang-ri and Daldo on Wando. Haenam Magistrate Byeon Hyeop led government troops and drove them off with difficulty, and for this he became magistrate of Jangheung. To mark this, a tree was planted in the front yard of the Haenam magistrate's office at the time and named Suseongsong (守城松), which is the origin of the current name.

Suseongsong Pine Tree in Seongnae-ri, Haenam, telling a black pine from a red pine

The 'bear pine' is a tree of the pine family. Its needles are tougher than those of the red pine and its bark is darker, so it is also called the sea pine or black pine. The winter buds of the red pine are red, while those of the 'bear pine' are grayish white, so you can tell the two apart.

Source: Haenam County Culture and Tourism