During the height of summer, Seoul is typically blanketed in dense, lush foliage, but one particular street tree in the northern residential area of Buam-dong began dropping its fan-shaped leaves prematurely. Local residents noticed the distressing decline of the ancient ginkgo tree, which many believed had stood for more than a century.
The unexpected decay sparked deep concern among community members who regarded the massive plant as a neighborhood landmark. For longtime residents, the tree held profound personal significance, functioning as a silent fixture of daily life. One local resident, who requested anonymity, described the emotional impact of watching the tree wither by comparing it to the slow decline of a beloved grandfather.
Buam-dong is a picturesque district nestled between two mountains, known for its artistic community and quiet atmosphere. Due to historical restrictions on urban development stemming from its proximity to the former presidential residence, the neighborhood has maintained a distinct, quaint character. Unlike most ginkgo trees that grow inside private gardens or dense forests, this specimen stood prominently along the roadside, serving as a shared focal point for the entire community.
As the summer progressed, the tree's branches steadily turned brown and bare, prompting a group of local residents to launch an investigation. Their suspicions grew after discovering ten white plastic funnels protruding from the ground near the base of the trunk. Initially mistaking the devices for nutrient dispensers, neighbors soon began to fear that a toxic substance was being introduced to deliberately harm the plant.
The community's amateur sleuths reviewed security camera footage from a nearby property to uncover what had happened. The video captured two individuals wearing white gloves while crouching near the roots with a power drill earlier in the spring. This discovery intensified suspicions, particularly because the local council confirmed that a nearby cultural institution had previously sought permission to remove the tree.
The Whanki Museum, whose exterior brick wall stands just inches from the ginkgo, had reportedly argued that the tree's expanding roots were damaging the structure. Armed with the surveillance evidence and consultations from arborists who suspected herbicide poisoning, a group of residents and police officers eventually confronted museum staff directly.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
