"Smells Bad" and "It's Inconvenient": Seoul to Replace at Least 792 Ginkgo Trees Amid Complaints

Seoul Environmental Federation Investigates Seoul's Street Tree Plan

The environmental organization Seoul Environmental Federation announced that at least 792 ginkgo trees in Seoul are expected to disappear this year as a result of tree species replacement (replanting) projects.

Work is underway to remove ginkgo nuts around the National Assembly main building. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

On July 22, the Seoul Environmental Federation released the results of its monitoring of the "2026 Annual Street Tree Plans" for all 25 districts in Seoul, conducted together with 24 citizens.

According to the report, at least 792 ginkgo trees in Seoul are projected to be removed this year due to tree species replacement projects.

Yongsan District plans to remove 254 ginkgo trees this year to create more pleasant pedestrian walkways, while Gwangjin District intends to replace 115 female ginkgo trees with male trees to reduce complaints caused by ginkgo nuts. Dobong District (87 trees), Guro District and Yeongdeungpo District (71 trees each) also plan to replace trees, citing improvements in the walking environment and scenic landscape as reasons.

The actual number of ginkgo trees being removed is estimated to be even higher when accounting for additional species replacement projects not included in the annual plans.

Seoul Environmental Federation

The organization pointed out, "Despite being a large-scale project involving the removal of hundreds of street trees, it is difficult to find legitimate reasons reflected in the annual street tree plans," adding, "Most districts cited only broad reasons such as ‘resolving complaints,’ ‘improving pedestrian scenery,’ and ‘alleviating citizen inconvenience’ as justification."

Joaemin, an activist at the Seoul Environmental Federation, stated, "No matter how bad the smell, the value of a single old ginkgo tree in a city far exceeds any short-term inconvenience," and emphasized, "City administrations that are supposed to nurture street trees from a long-term perspective should not be swayed by complaints from only a few loud voices."

They also demanded, "Principles, data, and objective risk assessments must be used to protect both the trees and the civil servants responsible for them, and procedures should be put in place to listen to the opinions of other residents as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.