What is daisugi used for?

Think of it as a bonsai on a large scale. This technique, which is called daisugi, enables foresters to harvest wood much more quickly. The shoots can either be planted (to help quickly populate a forest) or harvested.

What is so special about daisugi trees?

Daisugi (台杉) is a Japanese technique similar to coppicing, used on Cryptomeria (Sugi) trees. The term roughly translates to “platform cedar”. Shoots from the base of the tree are pruned so that the trunk stays straight. This technique results in a harvest of straight logs without having to cut down the entire tree.

Is daisugi a hoax?

Yes, daisugi is a technique of bonsai that’s usually practiced in Kitayama, the North Mountains of Kyoto. This technique is so special not only because it is an ancient technique, but also because it is so rare. Daisugi produces special straight lumber that any other techniques cannot give.

When was daisugi invented?

Sometime in 15th century Japan, a horticulture technique called daisugi was developed in Kyoto. Written as 台杉 and literally meaning platform cedar, the technique resulted in a tree that resembled an open palm with multiple trees growing out if it, perfectly vertical.

What is Daisugi method?

Written as 台杉, the Daisugi technique literally means platform cedar, a technique that uses existing trees to grow additional trees. The result of such a technique looks like an open palm with multiple perfectly vertical trees growing out of it thus creating a sustainable harvest of timber from a single tree.

Is deforestation a problem in Japan?

Japan Deforestation Rates & Statistics | GFW. In 2010, Japan had 17.2Mha of natural forest, extending over 71\% of its land area. In 2020, it lost 18.9kha of natural forest, equivalent to 8.91Mt of CO₂ of emissions.

What trees can Daisugi?

Several species of trees were used to create Daisugi forests, in particular Cryptomeria, Japanese cypress, like the Hinoki cypress, C. obtusa, with which some of you may be familiar.

What’s wrong with topping a tree?

Topping wounds expose a tree to decay and invasion from insects and disease. Also, the loss of foliage starves the tree, which weakens the roots, reducing the tree’s structural strength. While a tree may survive topping, its life span will be significantly reduced.

Why was timber so important in Japan?

Timber was used to supply construction needs for the growing population in the peaceful time. The shogun Ieyasu[3] and many of the daimyo started to build huge castles and temples to show their power to each other. When the fire broke out, a lot of timber was used to rebuild the building.

Did you know about daisugi?

But many still haven’t heard about daisugi. While its technique has similarities to that of bonsai, the result it produces is vastly different. Apparently, this technique that dates back to the 14th century was news to a lot of people.

What is daisugi bonsai?

Yes, daisugi is a technique of bonsai that’s usually practiced in Kitayama, the North Mountains of Kyoto. This technique is so special not only because it is an ancient technique, but also because it is so rare. Daisugi produces special straight lumber that any other techniques cannot give.

Why was daisugi Lumber developed?

There were not enough raw materials available to keep up with demand, so daisugi was developed to produce more lumber in a shorter amount of time [2]. Not only could this lumber be produce in record-time, but it was also more flexible and durable than regular wood.

Why do arborists use daisugi?

The terrain in the region is very mountainous, and the steep slopes make planting and tending to trees very difficult, so arborists used daisugi to not only reduce the number of plantations, but to produce denser wood in a much shorter time frame as well.