Heart-Shaped Street Trees Draw Mixed Reactions Over 'Bizarre' Look

In Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, there is a street lined with ginkgo trees trimmed into heart shapes.

It was even selected as an exemplary management case by the Korea Forest Service.

However, some voices are expressing concern, saying the trees look pitiful.

This is a road near the first temporary office building of the Cheongju City Hall in North Chungcheong Province.

The trunks and side branches of 41 ginkgo trees have been trimmed and decorated into heart shapes, creating what is known as the heart-shaped tree-lined street.

As photos and videos have recently been shared through social media, it is drawing attention as an urban attraction.

Citizen reactions are also said to be generally positive.

At the same time, some mixed opinions have emerged, such as "It doesn't look pretty, it looks bizarre" and "It is too artificial."

Arboriculture experts also point out that excessive pruning can hinder photosynthesis, making trees vulnerable to pests and diseases and inhibiting normal growth.

In response, Cheongju City reportedly maintains that there is no problem, noting that ginkgo trees are a resilient species whose growth and development are not significantly affected even after pruning.

(Source: Instagram - Cheongju City)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.