Analysis of National Supply Structures, Composition Characteristics, and Temporal Trends of Imported Landscape Trees in Korea (2015－2025)

This study analyzed the supply structure by exporting country, growth-form composition, native and introduced species ratios, and temporal trends of major species imported into Korea from 2015 to 2025. The results showed that a total of 49,893,822 landscape plants were imported during the study period. Major import sources consisted of Asian countries, accounting for 31,580,521 plants (63%), and European countries, accounting for 18,154,399 plants (37%). Among exporting countries, China was the largest supplier with 31,250,912 plants, while the Netherlands was identified as the leading European supplier with 15,414,001 plants. In terms of species diversity, the Netherlands exhibited the highest diversity with 156 species, followed by China with 126 species. Analysis of growth forms revealed that deciduous broad-leaved shrubs accounted for 53.88% and evergreen broad-leaved shrubs for 22.90% of all imported species, indicating that shrubs comprised more than 76% of the total imports. In addition, a small number of species, including Rosa spp., Buxus microphylla, and Hippophae rhamnoides, accounted for approximately 48% of the total import volume, indicating a highly concentrated import structure. The proportion of introduced species was 60.2%, compared with 39.8% for native species, and introduced species represented nearly 70% of evergreen taxa, suggesting a strong dependence on exotic plant resources. Time-series and regression analyses showed that Chinese imports of Robinia pseudoacacia exhibited the greatest decline and variability (β₁ = −19,670.06, p = 0.023, CV = 196.9%), while Corylus heterophylla and Forsythia koreana also showed significant decreasing trends. In contrast, Dutch imports of Hydrangea macrophylla demonstrated the strongest increasing trend (β₁ = 83,301.75, R² = 0.846, p = 0.0001), followed by Berberis thunbergii, Clematis spp., and Cornus walteri, which also showed significant increases. These findings suggest that the Korean landscape plant import market has gradually shifted from a mass-supply structure dominated by China toward a value-added ornamental plant structure centered on the Netherlands. In conclusion, the current import market for landscape plants in Korea is characterized by the coexistence of a cost-oriented mass-supply system and a high-value ornamental plant supply system based on species diversity. Recent trends indicate a gradual advancement of the import structure driven by increasing demand for high-quality and value-added ornamental plants. To enhance ecological stability and sustainability, diversification of both exporting countries and imported species, greater utilization of native species, and the establishment of functional-group-based planting systems are recommended. Furthermore, long-term monitoring and advanced time-series analytical approaches are needed to better understand future market dynamics and import patterns.