In Japan, a 15th century method of growing very straight cedar trees in order to get more wood from a single tree in a confined space, with the ‘base tree’ lasting hundreds of years despite the upper tree being felled every 30 years or so, is continuing to be used today.
Known as coppicing in the UK, the Japanese daisugi method means wood can be harvested more quickly, with the shoots that are pruned from the ‘mother tree’ able to be planted on in order to populate a forest efficiently and sustainably.
The method, which results in knot-free, tall trees has been described as like bonsai on a huge scale. It is an example of how necessity (lack of space coupled with demand for wood) can lead to sustainable practices.
further reading…
In Japan, a 15th century method of growing very straight cedar trees in order to get more wood from a single tree in a confined space, with the ‘base tree’ lasting hundreds of years despite the upper tree being felled every 30 years or so, is continuing to be used today.
Known as coppicing in the UK, the Japanese daisugi method means wood can be harvested more quickly, with the shoots that are pruned from the ‘mother tree’ able to be planted on in order to populate a forest efficiently and sustainably.
The method, which results in knot-free, tall trees has been described as like bonsai on a huge scale. It is an example of how necessity (lack of space coupled with demand for wood) can lead to sustainable practices.