Perhaps it is a small yet smelly price to pay for such a beautiful view.
The ginkgo tree is native to Southeast Asia, specifically China. However, it was brought over to the United States in 1784. Today, it can be found in parts of the United States and Europe as well as China, Korea, and Japan.
The ginkgo tree grows in well-drained, wet, sandy, and clay soils. It tolerates moderate drought and wetness but does not flourish in hot, dry climates. This makes South Korea perfect as the summer weather is hot and humid rather than dry. Its wood is resistant to insect-infestation and can survive during the cold, snowy winter months.
Despite having a large presence in Seoul and around Korea, the ginkgo tree is listed as an endangered species. However, this tree is amazingly resilient. For example, six gingko trees located in Hiroshima, Japan survived the 1945 atom bomb explosion during World War II. The trees were a mile away from where the explosion happened and were among the few living plants in the area to survive the blast.
