Kirihata Shrine's large zelkova and shii grove (a city-designated natural monument)

This zelkova tree is about 31m tall, splits into two at about 7.5m above ground level, and then branches out again, spreading its branches over an area of 20-30m square. Its roots are well developed to support its imposing body, and it seems to have a firm grip on the ground. Originally, zelkova trees were widely distributed in Honshu, Shikai, and Kyushu, and in the Sanyo region, they were commonly found on river plains from lowlands to valleys up to 1,000m above sea level. However, because its wood is hard and strong, yet easy to bend, and does not warp or crack easily, it was widely used as material for building and daily necessities, and it was cut down extensively, so that large trees are rarely seen today. Kirihata Shrine, where this large zelkova tree is located, is located in the middle reaches of the Seno River. In addition to this tree, there are two other fairly large zelkova trees growing in the shrine grounds, suggesting that there must have been many zelkova trees along the Seno River in the past. A beautiful natural chinquapin forest spreads out on the slope of the mountain behind Kirihata Shrine. In addition to the main chinquapin trees, tall trees such as glauca, sakaki, salicaria salicaria, and wild cherry trees grow vigorously in the forest, and even on sunny days it is dim, with only a few patches of sunlight filtering through the trees. The shrub and herbaceous plant groups are also well developed, creating a well-balanced forest. Chinese chinquapin forests are the most typical of natural forests in the Sanyo region, and are said to have been distributed over a fairly wide area in the past. These chinquapin forests have been important in supporting people's lives since the Jomon period. For example, chinquapin nuts are a valuable food source because they have no astringency and can be stored for a long time. The trunks and branches have been used for firewood, building materials, furniture, and daily necessities, and the bark can be used to extract dyes for fishing nets and tannins, and they have been incorporated into people's lives in various ways. However, as a result, many chinquapin forests have been cut down and turned into secondary forests of red pine and other trees. This chinquapin forest is one of the few examples of natural vegetation around Hiroshima that has been left almost untouched by human hands. Location: Kirihata Shrine grounds, 10-8 Nakano Higashi 7-chome, Aki-ku, Hiroshima City Date of designation: February 18, 1974 Summary: Large zelkova tree, tree height approx. 31m, trunk circumference at chest height 4.8m, branch spread: east 12m, west 10m, south 15m, north 12m Chinese chinquapin forest The largest Chinese chinquapin tree, trunk circumference at chest height 1.7m, average 1-1.5m