Birch trees at Hwadamsup arboretum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, show damage from visitors' carvings. [Hwadamsup SNS]
Birch trees at Hwadamsup arboretum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, show damage from visitors' carvings. [Hwadamsup SNS]

Birch trees at Hwadamsup arboretum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, have been found covered in carvings, sparking public outrage after photos of the damage were shared online.

According to Hwadamsup's official social media account, the arboretum posted the photos Thursday along with a notice prohibiting damage to trees on its grounds.

Birch trees at Hwadamsup arboretum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, bear carvings left by visitors. [Hwadamsup SNS]
Birch trees at Hwadamsup arboretum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, bear carvings left by visitors. [Hwadamsup SNS]

The arboretum said it had recently discovered that some trees in its birch forest had been defaced with letters and markings gouged by sharp objects. "Carving into or wounding tree bark can harm a tree's growth and damages the precious natural environment of a forest that has been tended for many years," it said.

It warned that anyone caught damaging trees would be removed from the premises immediately without prior notice and could face legal action under relevant laws.

Under Article 366 of the Criminal Act, which covers destruction of property, defacing another person's tree in a way that impairs its utility can carry a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to 7 million won ($5,250).

Hwadamsup also urged visitors to be mindful of their conduct, noting that marks carved into birch trees do not fade easily and that the trees need a long time to recover.

On the same day, an eyewitness account posted on Threads described a couple carving characters into a birch tree at the arboretum using a stone.

The person, identified only as A, said they had recently visited Hwadamsup and spotted a young couple crouching or bending near the base of a tree with their hands on the trunk. The two appeared unbothered by their surroundings and were laughing, A said.

After the couple left, A checked the tree and found hangul characters and heart symbols carved into it. A said they reported the incident to the arboretum but had not heard back about the outcome.


jshan@heraldcorp.com