Seoul residents investigate mysterious decline of century-old ginkgo tree
Neighbours in Buam-dong, Seoul, formed a detective group to find the cause of a historic ginkgo tree's sudden withering in September 2026.
Community forms investigation team
Residents noticed green leaves falling from the tree during summer when they should remain on branches. Locals who believe the tree has stood for over a hundred years became concerned about its health. Neighbours created an amateur detective crew to solve the mystery of what was harming the plant.
Suspects point to nearby museum
The group suspects a museum built to honour nature might be responsible for the tree's condition. This suspicion arose after the tree began showing signs of severe distress in the residential area. The case attracted national headlines and unsettled the community member who led the campaign.
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