Japan's 600-year-old Daisugi forestry method lets a single tree produce timber for centuries

Japan's 600-year-old Daisugi technique offers a unique way to produce timber without cutting down entire trees Timber is one of the biggest reasons trees are cut down all over the world. However, in Japan, a country focused on sustainability, an ancient forestry technique called Daisugi harvests timber without cutting the tree.The method began around 14th century in Kyoto Prefecture. Foresters carefully prune the tree so that it keeps growing while producing new straight trunks that can later be cut down for timber.Daisugi was developed in Japan to solve the growing demand for tinder. But the country's limited land area made it difficult to grow more cedar trees. Therefore, people found a way to make a single tree produce wood again and again.As countries look for ways to reduce deforestation, this traditional knowledge can help protect trees while also meeting the demand for wood.Origins of DaisugiForests absorb carbon dioxide, help clean the air and water, provide homes for wildlife and support the livelihoods of millions of people.Despite their importance, forests continue to disappear. According to Lampoon magazine, global estimates show forests equal to around 30 football fiel...