The bounty of pine

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Bernard Rowan

The bounty of pine

Posted : 2018-11-20 18:02

Updated : 2018-11-20 18:02

By Bernard Rowan

The national tree of Korea is the pine, and it's a wonderful choice. Wikipedia states the North chooses the pinus, while for the South it's the pinus densiflora or red pine. There are several species of pines in Korea, including the Korean pine or pinus koraiensis.

The market for Korean cosmetics has taken the world by storm over the last decade. I read also that Sulhwasoo makes a pine-based product, DAASkin, which has an anti-aging ingredient. We can't live forever, but it's good to use nature's ingredients to look our best and stave off the effects of time!

WebMD says that pine nuts increase milk production during breast-feeding and has other medicinal benefits. I found several recipes for Korean dishes using pine nuts, including some versions of kimchi.

I've enjoyed viewing this tree in many Korean spaces and places. Its beauty and the appealing smell of its needles, cones, and wood matches its utility for furniture and other objects. It's a source of food, including pine mushrooms. I've also enjoyed Korean pine-bud drink. Let's explore further the bounty of the pine!

The smell of pine, use of pine chips in agricultural and other settings, and forms of furniture ― pine wood has a wonderful quality ― commend this tree to us. The tone and durability mayn't appeal like mahogany, but pine has its fans.

There's so much expectation and concern about inter-Korean relations and great powers today. Amid all that complexity, it made one feel good to see the two Korean leaders plant a pine tree in Panmunjeom. May this "Tree of Peace" bring harmony to Korea, the region, and the world! I read that Kim Jong-un presented tons of delicious pine mushrooms to the South as a gift. I think I haven't eaten songi mushrooms. They're wonderful for health and a delicacy!

When I visit Korea again, I'd love to tour some of the habitats known for beautiful pines in plenty. Two of them are the Uljin Geumgang Pine Trail and habitat and Anmyeon Island or Island of Pines. I'd love to see Uljin's 520-year-old "Grandfather Pine" while hiking the trail. Anmyeon's pine forest is not as old but boasts memorable views at nearly every vantage point. It's on the sight of and forms part of a forest dating to the Goryeo Kingdom. Visitors can learn about the uses of pine in the Forest Exhibition Hall. Imagine Your Korea website (english.visitkorea.or.kr) has pictures and valuable information about these and thousands of other sights. Tens of millions of pines cover a third or more of Korean mountains.

It's the case that stories continue to grow in number about conservation. The people of Korea and the world must face looming biosphere and environmental crises. We must care for the Earth on which life depends. We shouldn't neglect the pine either. A 2013 pine devastation lasted several years and saw many trees destroyed by pine wilt disease. It sounds nasty, and I'm sure it looked much worse. It's great the North and South have agreed to battle this blight. I think the pine is a symbol for unification too!

Many Korean organizations sponsor and encourage the planting of trees, a wonderful act of giving back to nature from which we take so much more than we may realize. Arbor Day is a great time to plant trees, or any day when the conditions are right! Tree Planet and other groups plant pines and other wonderful trees in Korea.

The pine tree as an evergreen shows its value and meaning. Withstanding extremes of hot and cold, it provides bounty year-round. Korea's pines live on and on. The pine connotes integrity, morality, longevity and endurance. What country or people wouldn't want to claim these characteristics? The Owlcation website points out Koreans have ascribed special powers to pines. Pine branches honor the birth of a child and adorn a coffin to transport one's soul. Korea's national tree represents how the pine lives side-by-side with humanity.

Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.