Pine Tree of Seowon-ri, Boeun

Pine Tree of Seowon-ri, Boeun
The Boeun Seowon-ri tree
Native name	보은 서원리 소나무
Species	Pinus densiflora
Location	Seowon-ri, Maro-myeon, Boeun County, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea
Coordinates	36°29′36.1″N 127°47′17.5″E / 36.493361°N 127.788194°E / 36.493361; 127.788194
Height	15 m (49 ft)

In Seowon-ri, Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, there is an ancient Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora). On April 30, 1988, it was designated Natural Monument of South Korea No. 352. The tree is famously known by its nickname Jeongbuinsong (정부인송; 貞夫人松), which translates to "Government Wife Pine" or "Lady Minister Pine," due to its folkloric status as the wife of the nearby Jeongipumsong (Natural Monument No. 103), a tree famously granted a ministerial rank by King Sejo of Joseon dynasty.^[1]

Located approximately 6 kilometers from the historically significant Jeongipumsong, the Jeongbuinsong is estimated to be around 600 years old, sharing a similar age with its legendary spouse. The tree stands at a height of 15.2 meters, with a circumference of 5.0 meters near the base. Its trunk bifurcates at a height of 84 centimeters, and the overall form resembles that of an umbrella. While the legend of the Jeongipumsong dates back to the 15th century, the naming of the Jeongbuinsong is part of a more modern folklore that developed from the proximity and majestic appearance of the two ancient trees.^[2][3]

The title "Jeongbuin" (정부인; 貞夫人) was the official title granted to the wife of a First Senior Rank official during the Joseon dynasty. The name was given to this tree because its elegant, gracefully twisting branches were said to resemble the beauty and poise of a noblewoman. Together, the two trees form a legendary "noble couple". The villagers hold a ceremony for this pine tree every year, praying for the peace and well-being of the village.^[2]

Due to its high preservation value as both folkloric and biological material, the treehas been designated and is protected as a Natural Monument.^[2]

One of the most distinctive aspects of Jeongipumsong's legacy is its role in a conservation initiative that combines modern science with cultural tradition. To preserve the genetic lineage of Jeongipumsong and its counterpart, Jeongbuinsong (정부인송), a symbolic "pollen wedding" (소나무 전통혼례) was introduced.^[4][5]

First held in 2001 and repeated in subsequent years, the event involved the collection of pollen from Jeongipumsong, which was then ceremonially transported to Jeongbuinsong in a procession modeled on a traditional Joseon-era wedding. The pollen was used to fertilize the ovulate cones of Jeongbuinsong.^[4]

The seeds resulting from this cross-pollination have been successfully cultivated into saplings. These descendant trees, considered to possess valuable genetic traits, have been planted at culturally and nationally significant locations throughout South Korea, including government complexes and heritage sites, including the Blue House]] and Independence Hall of Korea.^[4]