It is presumed that President Syngman Rhee planted a fir tree in 1960. Although no plaque or record of President Rhee’s tree planting has been found in Cheong Wa Dae, a photograph dated March 25, 1960, shows him planting a tree in the valley below the Old Main Building Ground near Sangchunjae, leading to the presumption that this tree is the commemorative planting.

The fir tree, a member of the pine family, is known for rapidly greening mountains and contributing to timber supply. It thrives in moist and deep valleys, making the Sangchunjae valley an ideal location. While initially slow-growing, it eventually forms a tall, cone-shaped beauty. These trees often cluster together, forming impressive forests. Despite their softer wood, fir trees are used for the majestic columns of temples and government buildings and are valued as a high-quality paper material.

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