Korea's Beloved Pine Trees Face Climate Crisis, Demand Scientific Solutions

Trees resembling the spirit of the Korean nation stand along every winding ridge of the Korean Peninsula. Pine trees, which remain evergreen through storms and take root in barren rock crevices, have been more than mere vegetation—they have embodied the lives and history of Koreans themselves. However, concerns are growing that the pine tree's status is being shaken by fierce challenges including climate crisis, wildfires, and pest infestations. What kind of future should we envision with pine trees?

Koreans' love for pine trees is proven by data. In eight preference surveys conducted over 32 years from 1991 to 2023, pine trees never once relinquished the top position. More than half of Korean citizens have consistently named the pine as their favorite tree, and four in ten Koreans still steadfastly support it today. The reasons for this affection are multifaceted. The greatest appeal lies in the scenic value (29%) of their curved forms and year-round green appearance. This is followed by environmental value (24.8%) for ecosystem services such as water conservation and greenhouse gas absorption, economic value (18%) from timber and pine mushroom production, and humanistic value (12.1%) reflected in the national anthem and artistic works. However, the 2023 survey detected shifting currents. While pine trees still ranked first, the response rate dropped to the 40% range. This is interpreted as the result of pine forests being identified as a major cause of recent large-scale wildfires due to their flammability, and negative perceptions exposed by the spread of pine wilt disease.

Today, pine tree territory has rapidly contracted due to climate change, wildfires, and pest infestations. Pine trees currently occupy approximately 25% of Korea's forest area, with an estimated population of about 1.6 billion trees. Notably, 93% of these formed naturally. This proves that pine trees are native species optimized for Korean soil and climate. Recently, environmental groups have argued that because pine trees are vulnerable to wildfires and pests, artificial management should cease and forests should be left to natural succession. However, such claims diverge from forestry science research findings. Neglected forests develop dense undergrowth that actually serves as fuel, allowing surface fires to spread into crown fires. Therefore, "forest tending (thinning and pruning)" and scientific forest road development are essential processes for improving pine tree growing conditions and enhancing disaster resistance.

To continue coexisting with pine trees, we now need "scientific prescriptions" that go beyond emotional approaches. First, strategic planting and mixed forest creation. Rather than filling every mountain with pine trees, we should consider establishing fire-resistant forest belts with broadleaf trees suited to site conditions, or transitioning to mixed forests. This method blocks wildfire spread, secures biodiversity, and keeps pine forests healthier. Second, active adoption of forestry science technology. Breeding varieties resistant to pine wilt disease and using genetic engineering to select individuals resistant to climate stress are key drivers securing the future of pine forests. Third, establishing differentiated management strategies. Areas requiring preservation must be distinguished from forests with high economic and cultural value. Management models must be maintained that consider pine trees' forestry value as a pillar of forest workers' livelihoods and regional economies, particularly for pine mushroom harvesting.

Pine trees are records of our past, landscapes of our present, and heritage to be passed to future generations. The recent decline in preference reflects not disappointment in pine trees themselves, but public anxiety about forest environments in crisis. We must now rebuild the humanistic symbolism of pine trees on a foundation of science and technology. Pine trees are not a vulnerable species we should abandon, but precious assets that have evolved with the Korean Peninsula for thousands of years. When precise forestry science management meets the unwavering affection of the public, pine trees will once again steadfastly continue their greenness across Korea's mountains and fields. That is the true "path of coexistence" we must follow.