The practice involving growing Japanese trees on top of each other is known as Daisugi.
Daisugi is not a specific species of tree that naturally grows this way, but rather an ancient Japanese forestry technique or art. Developed around 600 years ago, this method involves carefully pruning a parent tree (typically a Kitayama Cedar, though the reference doesn't specify the species, it focuses on the technique's purpose and outcome) in such a way that strong, straight shoots grow vertically from the base tree's top. These shoots are then harvested as timber while the parent tree remains alive to produce more growth, effectively creating a sustainable "platform" or base tree from which multiple "daughter" trees emerge and grow upwards.
Understanding the Daisugi Technique
The core idea behind Daisugi is sustainability and efficiency. Instead of felling an entire tree to harvest timber, the forester cultivates specific shoots from a single parent tree over many years.
- Parent Tree (Dai): The base tree is heavily pruned to encourage specific, vigorous upward growth from its crown. It serves as the anchor and source for new timber.
- Daughter Shoots (Sugi): These are the straight, vertical growths emerging from the parent tree. They are managed and harvested for timber.
Benefits of Daisugi
According to the reference, this ancient technique offers significant advantages:
- Sustainability: By harvesting shoots from a living parent tree, it helps prevent deforestation by reducing the need to clear-cut entire forests.
- Timber Quality: The method results in stronger, more flexible, perfectly round straight timber, which was historically prized for specific architectural uses, particularly for rafters and pillars requiring exceptional uniformity and strength.
- Efficiency: It allows for continuous harvesting of high-quality timber from the same parent tree over centuries.
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | Growing new shoots vertically from a pruned parent tree. | Sustainable, high-quality timber production. |
| Parent Tree | The base tree, shaped into a platform. | Provides continuous source for new growth. |
| Daughter Shoots | The straight, harvestable timber growing upwards. | Strong, flexible, uniform, perfectly round material. |
| Age | Ancient practice, documented for at least 600 years. | Proven, long-standing method of forestry. |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces need for clear-cutting. | Helps prevent deforestation. |
In essence, the "Japanese trees that grow on top of each other" refers to the specialized shoots cultivated on a base tree through the art and practice of Daisugi, a method celebrated for its sustainable timber production and unique aesthetic.
