Photographs

085-0460.JPG
Key Words
trees growing on rocks
Other Notes
"The majestic trees of I. integra on Sohuksan were truly amazing: 10-25 meters in height with trunks 0.7 to 2 meters in diameter! This species was evident locally at several sites on the island from 50 to 200 meters elevation - this zone also supported disgusting terrestrial leeches. Our host and previous chief of the village we stayed in told us that they used I. integra to make birdlime to snare birds and rodents. A number of large trees of I. integra were cropped with stumped branches and crowns; these trees wese sprouting back very well and were fruiting. This practice was obviously in equilibrium with nature. However, we quickly discovered that the villagers were doing a terrible thing. Many of the largest I. integra were being killed outright by the locals who were totally girdling the trees at their bases. For example on our second trip back to Sohuksan in September we spotted in the dense forest a mammoth and very heavily fruited I. integra. Upon arriving at its base we were stunned to find that it had been freshly girdled, perhaps the day before we returned. Unfortunately, the trunk was unclimbable and the lowest branches were 5 meters above the ground, and we could not collect herbarium specimens or seed. Invariably, the ancient trees, 250-350 or more years old, of I. integra that had been girdled were females in fruit. The villager's logic is impeccable: the female trees are the first to go because they produce the seed which gives rise to new plants. Never before have I seen such a dramatic, systematic and all-out campaign to destroy totally a single species. There is no question in my mind that the mature I. integra on Sohuksan represent the largest and oldest Ilex in Korea, if not in all of Asia." Ted Dudley 1985 trip notes
Location
Sohuksan Island
Country
South Korea
Date Taken
September 1985
Photographer
J. C. Raulston
Collection
J. C. Raulston's Slide Collection
Image Name
085-0460.JPG
Image ID
52220