We collected basic data on the physiological characteristics of Panax ginseng in order to identify the forest stands that provide the best growth environment. Our research sites included oak, pine, and mixed-forest stands, in which ginseng seed had been sown several years earlier. Heights and dry weights of forest ginseng were better under oak trees than in the pine or mixed stands. In addition, photosynthetic rates for ginseng were highest in the oak forest, particularly at a light intensity of 200 $mu$mol m$^{-2}$ sec$^{-1}$ .