Machilus Thunbergii Bark
Description
Details
Like the leteral meaning of its Korean name "hubak" "Machilus thunbergii" is associated with rorfound compasson and guilelessness. It was one of the species commonly seen along the southen coase that silenty looked upon the ups and down of human life at close range, unlike the ribbed birch that grows deep inthe mountains.
Its bark does not crack and stays smooth even as the tree ages,, and hence the mere sight of the tree is comforting. Machilus thunbergii trees are large measurng 30m and close to 1m in diameter when fully grown.
In the past, Machilus thunbergii served primarily as a medicinal ingredient. Its bqark helped treat stomach ailments.
According to the "Geography Section" of the Annals of King Sejong, its habitat is limited to the provinces of Jeolla, Gyengsang, and Jeju Island.
There must have been many large speciments in previous years, but due to the therapeutic applications of its bark, no large trees remain except for the few that were designated as Natural Mouments.