Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) opened the Tree Diagnostic Center (Director, Professor Han Sang-seop) on the 16th, the only such center in the Honam region. The center will systematically manage forests and cultivate outstanding talent in related fields.

The Tree Diagnostic Center was established at JBNU because the Korea Forest Service comprehensively evaluated tree-related research, an excellent talent pool, and a systematic education system, and selected JBNU as the operating institution for the Honam region.

Accordingly, JBNU will carry out projects with approximately ten forestry-specialized faculty members and research specialists participating. With support from the Korea Forest Service, the center will provide diagnosis and consulting for various regional tree diseases and pests, and offer theoretical education and practical training on tree health to the general public.

Recently, as trees have been incorporated into wellness and landscaping, their value has increased. Requests for diagnosis of tree damage caused by various diseases, pests, and weather-related disasters have become frequent, requiring systematic management measures.

To meet these needs, the Tree Diagnostic Center plans to provide a variety of services to scientifically diagnose tree damage caused by diseases, pests, and natural disasters, and to establish comprehensive countermeasures.

As a research project, the center will conduct a "Study on the Growth Environment and Health Status of Protected Trees in Jeonbuk" to confer new value on protected trees designated as valuable resources in the Jeonbuk area, and to develop systematic management measures for protected trees through assessments of growth conditions and health status.

In particular, as the Korea Forest Service plans to train more than 2,000 "tree doctors" to systematically diagnose and manage trees in living environments, demand for such services is expected to increase. The center plans to actively participate in programs to train professional "tree doctors" in preparation for the institutionalization of this role.

Director Han Sang-seop said, "It is highly meaningful that the Tree Diagnostic Center, which will systematically manage trees and train outstanding personnel, has opened at a time when the value of urban trees for landscaping and healing is increasing." He added, "Going forward, we will diagnose trees suited to local conditions, develop protection techniques through excellent research, and strive to train professionals capable of systematically managing trees."