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On January 16 (Mon.) - 17 (Tue.), 2023, Green & Smile held a "will-stacking course" at the Green & Smile Sanpodo for the purpose of passing on the skills and traditions of masonry. The day was very warm for this time of year, although the weather was a little cloudy. Participants were very enthusiastic about the masonry work, and we were happy to have people from as far away as Fukushima and Saitama participate in the event. We joined the masonry course team and have been working on the arrangements for a year now, so that we can back it up to the best of our ability.　Although it was not always easy, we were able to have a very meaningful time and experience organizing the masonry course with the members of this group. I have been involved in several events when I was younger, but there are many difficult aspects such as planning, collaboration, and division of roles. I hope I was able to use that experience to help a little with this event. Those who attended were able to make clipboards from the cedar trees that were cut down and given as gifts by the Pruner Sky Woodworking Department.　The red pine tea was also better received than expected. I hope to continue to share my knowledge and skills with various people through traditional empty piling using stone from Mie Prefecture, and to continue to convey the charm of masonry. Will Stacking Lecture - The Art and Lore of Masonry https://ishizumi.studio.site We have created a portfolio site with photos and other information from the masonry course, so please take a look at it if you are interested. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to those who participated in this year's event.

Global warming refers to a long-term increase in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, but other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide also contribute to global warming. Global warming is having a significant impact on the Earth's climate through rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, and the frequency of heat waves, droughts, and extreme weather events. The lecture covered the current status and future projections of global warming, including the global average concentration of greenhouse gases in 2021 and historical averages, as well as international agreements and initiatives on global warming such as the Kyoto Protocol, Cancun Agreement, and Paris Agreement, which have different goals, targets, and mechanisms for reducing emissions. The lecture also covered the following topics. It also mentioned the Glasgow Climate Agreement, which aims to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, accelerate action during a critical decade, enhance technology diffusion, and phase out coal-fired power generation. We also studied recent developments in Japan regarding global warming, such as the revision of the Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming and the efforts of Mie Prefecture. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization of scientists established by the United Nations, predicts that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at their current pace, the average global temperature will likely rise 2 to 6 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. This would have serious consequences for human societies, ecosystems, and biodiversity. To mitigate global warming, countries and organizations are advocating various strategies and policies, such as reducing emissions from power generation, transportation, and industry; increasing the use of renewable energy; and improving energy efficiency. Adaptation measures include building seawalls, relocating communities at risk of flooding, and developing drought-resistant crops. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to pursue efforts to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this goal, each country is required to submit and regularly update a National Defined Contribution, which outlines its efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Being able to learn about and act on these matters will become even more important in the future.　We, too, will take no small amount of action.

The best method of control for pine bark beetles depends on the specific situation and the severity of the infestation. Here are some common control methods. Cultural Control. Removing debris near the base of trees and removing infested or weakened trees can reduce the number of pine bark beetles in an area. Physical Control. Placing physical barriers around the trunks of juvenile trees can help prevent the midges from reaching the bark. Chemical control. Spraying insecticides into the soil or injecting them into the trunks is an effective way to control pine weevils. However, it is important to follow label directions carefully and use only products labeled for use on specific types of trees. The chemical used in this study was Greenguard NEO. Drill holes using an impact drill and check for yani After yani is confirmed, fill the holes with artificial bark such as Lac Valsan. In general, a combination of these control methods is often the most effective way to manage pine weevils. It is also important to regularly observe trees for signs of infestation and to take immediate action if an infestation is detected. Greenguard NEO is a pesticide solution containing 20% of the ingredient trans-1, 4, 5, 6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-2-[2-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)vinyl]pyrimidine tartrate and 80% water and other organic solvents. It is used to prevent pine beetle infestation and growth, and the amount used depends on the diameter of the tree. The stated effective period after injection is usually 7 years, but it varies depending on conditions. There are two injection methods: natural pressure injection and pressurized injection. The time required to complete injection depends on the age and vigor of the tree, and a pressurized method may be used. Injection holes are drilled with a 6.5 mm diameter drill at a depth of 4 to 9 cm diagonally downward into the tree trunk 50 cm to 1 m above the ground, avoiding directly under large nodes. This product is not effective on adult pine beetles, pines with abnormal resin loss, or pines with discolored branches and leaves. Chest height diameter 37 cm, 6 ampules, staggered. The pine pine bark beetle is a species of insect belonging to the family Ophiuroidea and subfamily Ophiuroidea. It attacks various species of pine trees and causes severe damage to forest ecosystems. There are many species of pine bark beetles, and each species tends to prefer certain types of pines. Ecologically, pine bark beetles (Pinus pinaster) play an important role in the natural processes of the forest. Pine bark beetles feed on the inner bark of pine trees, and severe infestations can cause the trees to become banded and die. As a result, the trees fall, creating space for new growth and benefiting other species in the ecosystem, so it may not be desirable to eradicate all pine bark beetles in general. However, if the pine bark beetle population increases too much, pine trees may die over a wide area and have a negative impact on the ecosystem, so it would be better to control pine trees that are valued in gardens and forests. Pine beetles are attracted to weakened, stressed, or dying trees and attack in large numbers. They can also spread from tree to tree by flight, and infestations can spread rapidly. The severity of pine beetle infestations can be influenced by many factors, including temperature, drought, fire, and human activities such as logging and land development. A study of the timing of last year's pine bark beetle outbreak in Mie Prefecture shows that pupae were confirmed on May 1 in Iga City, and the date of first adult emergence was May 24, so Greenguard NEO is often used up to three months prior to an outbreak. Pine bark beetles (Pinus pinaster) play an important role in the dynamics of forest ecosystems, but their populations must be monitored and controlled to prevent widespread damage to pine trees.

三重県四日市市にて小川の修復工事を行わせていただきました。 Streams are natural waterways, smaller than rivers, that are formed in the landscape by precipitation and groundwater. The formation of streams is influenced by several natural phenomena, including Topography Topographic shape and elevation play an important role in creek formation. Streams tend to form in low-lying areas, following the path of least resistance and flowing downstream along valleys and ravines. Rock Types Different rock types erode at different rates, which can affect the flow and shape of streams. Climate The climate of the area can also influence the formation of the creek. Streams in areas with high precipitation tend to change course more rapidly. Geology The geology of an area, such as the presence of faults and fractures, can influence stream formation by affecting groundwater flow and erosion patterns. Human Activities. Human activities such as land use change, dam construction, and deforestation can also affect stream formation by altering the natural water balance and causing changes in flow and sedimentation patterns. Under natural conditions, streams normally maintain a stable channel shape due to erosion and sedimentation forces, but human activities and heavy rainfall can alter the balance and cause changes in the stream channel. The damage to the creek this time was caused by last year's heavy rains, which had washed a large amount of sediment into the creek. To restore the flow path, the soil is dug out while keeping track of the original depth and width. It is also easier to manage the stream if you know how the flow rate changes with the seasons. Restoring the creek to its natural state may be necessary to ensure its health and stability. Stream restoration also requires careful investigation. An assessment of the damaged stream channel will be conducted to determine the extent of the damage, its causes, and potential solutions. Develop a detailed design for the desired channel configuration and restoration. Prevent erosion and create a stable base for restoration efforts. Install sandbags and erosion control structures to prevent erosion and improve water flow, while adapting the river channel to its natural flow, if necessary. Survey the stream banks to determine what vegetation is growing along the banks and whether it can be regenerated in order to fix the soil, provide wildlife habitat, and reduce erosion. Implement a regular maintenance program to maintain the stability and health of the restored stream channel. Regularly monitor the restored stream channel to assess its health and identify areas in need of additional work. After construction, the vegetation that would serve as soil retention was not established, and the dug-out soil was made into vegetated sandbags and piled on the banked area. The sand and gravel in the creek and the clay layer in the bottom soil are indicators of digging. In addition, the original topographic area may have many buried seeds, so vegetation recovery will proceed quickly. In streams, under natural conditions, water and sediment are constantly moving, altering the shape of channels, bars, and pools. Puddles can form as the water slows down in certain areas, increasing the depth of the water and creating deeper stillwater areas. Puddles form in streams for several reasons, including the presence of natural obstacles such as large rocks or boulders that impede the flow of water, slowing or deepening the flow of water. Puddles can also be created by erosion, sedimentation, or other changes in the creek bed or stream channel that alter the flow of water. (In this case, sandbags were placed) Install sandbags to control water flow so that water flows gently into the biotope from the lower right. To control the flow of sand and mud, we also create a sedimentation basin (chinsachi) and so on. There are many places where ecosystems can be successfully managed by human intervention, and rare plants and animals can be found in these biotopes. There are many biotopes in Mie Prefecture, but some have fallen into disrepair due to lack of management, and many have been invaded by non-native species. Schlegel's green frog in hibernation. By combining human power and a jumbo, we can also protect precious lives. By maintaining as many biotopes as possible in a healthy state, we hope to preserve them as valuable places where a variety of living creatures are active from the viewpoint of preserving biodiversity. Please feel free to contact Prunery Sora for biotope management and biological surveys in Mie Prefecture.

A request was made to cut down a zelkova tree in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture. We have been cutting down a few zelkova trees every year, and this time we were able to cut down all the zelkova trees. It had become too large to manage by yourself, so you consulted with Pruner Empty. Zelkova trees sprout from the stumps after felling, so the stumps will be left alone this time without any root debris treatment. If you have any problems with tree trimming in Mie Prefecture, please feel free to contact Pruner Sora.

On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Mie Forest & Forestry Academy students presented the results of their projects online.　We would like to share the results of the presentation on our website in the hope that people will become more interested in forestry. The project we are proposing, "Forest to Eat," is a project with the vision of making sustainable mountain management possible by utilizing mountain resources, even in small forest areas. Supplementary information I made this presentation much simpler than the interim presentation. The previous document had a yellow background, the text was hard to read, and the fonts were all different, so I tried to unify them.　I was once told that design has nothing to do with the materials. But I like to do it, so I took on the challenge.　The tool I used for this project was canva. I highly recommend it! Hello again, everyone. We run a landscaping business called "Pruner Sky" in Komono-cho, Mie Prefecture. We moved to Mie 10 years ago, and this year marks the 8th year since we started our business. Supplementary information The presentation was done in PDF format, so the images are not designed to move, but if they are not too difficult to see, it may be okay to use moving images. If it is not too hard to see, it might be good to use moving images.　We hope that our catchphrase "To the garden of Mie Prefecture today" will someday also be "To the mountain of Mie Prefecture today". When we started up, we started with just a pair of scissors and a used light truck that we drove to Shizuoka to pick up for 50,000 yen. I had a lot of time on my hands, so I borrowed books on how to attract customers from the library and read them all, studying hard and repeating trial and error. Supplementation The lecturer advised us that we would get more sympathy if we included our own story in the materials. It's a funny story now, but at the very first site we went to for an estimate, we got a My Stepladder by offsetting the cost of the broken stepladder from the estimate amount, and that was the beginning of Pruner Sky. If only I could attract more customers! With this in mind, I created my own company website and started posting information about my garden on my blog and SNS, and little by little, more and more people started looking at it, which led to more work. The PV of my website gradually increased, and I received many requests and consultations last year. Blessed with human connections, the number of trusted fellow craftsmen also increased, and here we are today. Supplementary information We may not have as many PVs as some of the major websites and blogs, but we are very grateful that people read our homepage, which is very text-heavy, and consult with us.　While SEO and other measures are important to attract customers continuously, the most important and effective thing is to keep updating the homepage steadily. Next, I would like to share two backgrounds and how we came to this project. The first background is from our work in the landscaping industry. In the landscaping industry, we create gardens that use the mountains as borrowed landscapes, and we apply and utilize the blessings of the mountains, such as by using the mountain ecosystem and its trees as samples. As I came into contact with greenery through landscaping, I wondered why there are so few people who know about the current situation of Japan's mountains and the actual sites, despite the fact that this is a job that utilizes the blessings of the mountains and nature. Supplementation I often hear things like, "That gardener has a tree with a good shape that was picked from the mountain. However, in our personal opinion, there are not a few people who are not very interested in the actual situation of the mountains.　If we are given the benefit of the mountains, isn't it important to pay more attention to the landscaping industry and the mountains and act accordingly?　When we hear the word "forestry," there is an image that it is somehow different from our landscaping industry, and some people in the forestry industry have wondered why landscaping is in the mountains.　I think it would be good for those who love the same nature and find value in it to cooperate with each other, rather than being separated by the human concept of "forestry" as a separate industry. The second is my personal feelings. We are currently living in the mountains at the foot of Mt. Otakayama in Komono Town, Mie Prefecture, and looking around, we see a lot of bushes and illegal dumping. I wondered if there was anything I could do to help the forests that were in such a state of disrepair. These two thoughts led me to want to learn more about mountains, and as I studied about mountains on my own, I learned about the lack of progress in mountain maintenance in Japan and that there are various edible nuts and fruits in the mountains. Additional information Not all of Japan's mountains have become garbage dumps, but this is a situation that does occur in some cases.　There is less illegal dumping in managed mountains or mountains where people are constantly coming and going, and there are many satoyama, etc., where the mountains themselves are supplemented by a close relationship with people. I joined the academy to acquire knowledge and skills related to mountains in order to realize a forest where people can eat, and I learned more about the current situation and problems in Japan's mountains. Supplementary information I was advised that I did not understand the meaning of "safety first" in the material, so I captured it here I believe that both garden protection and mountain protection first require proper knowledge and skills, and then safety follows. The forestry and landscaping industries are very prone to industrial accidents, and first of all, it is better to enter the mountains based on the principles and principles of the mountains in order to safely access the mountains.　There is a boom in buying mountains, but I think it is difficult for people to enjoy themselves safely in a forest full of hindrances without taking care of it. Why do forestry workers wear helmets properly when they enter the mountain and bring in equipment and other items?　If you think you only need to wear a helmet when logging, you can get seriously injured on the road. I would like to talk a little about the current situation and problems of Japan's mountains. Japan is one of the most heavily forested countries in the world, with 67% of its land area covered by forests, and in Mie Prefecture, 65%, or more than half of the land is forested. Supplementary information I would have liked to go into more detail about the problems occurring in Japan's forests, but due to time constraints, my oral presentation was rather abbreviated. However, many of Japan's mountains are planted with cedar and cypress trees that were planted during postwar afforestation expansion and are now in the harvesting season. Another reason for the deterioration of mountains is the gradual shift of people's lifestyles away from the mountains due to the postwar fuel revolution. As more and more people feel that mountains and people are not close to each other, many inherited mountains have been neglected as a "negative legacy," and large-scale landslides have frequently occurred in mountains throughout Japan. Supplementation Under these forest conditions, spectacular mountain disasters have occurred in many parts of Japan. In August 2014, there was a landslide in Hiroshima City caused by torrential rains; in 2018, there was a large-scale landslide caused by the Iburi East Earthquake in Hokkaido; and in 2019, there was a large-scale long-term power outage caused by strong winds from Typhoon No. 15, which felled a number of grove-rotting Yamatake Sugi trees in Chiba Prefecture. Other natural disasters, such as record-breaking rainfall, earthquakes, and extreme weather events have occurred in many areas, making it impossible to maintain the land and forests. If the mountain had been continuously tended to, wouldn't all this have happened? Addendum However, with the "fuel revolution," the value of wooded areas and natural forests in the satoyama diminished, and broadleaf trees were cut down and replaced with conifers such as cedar and cypress, which have high economic value as building materials. The "expansion of afforestation" proceeded rapidly. From the Paleolithic Age (50,000-60,000 years ago) through the Jomon Period to the present day, people have lived with the blessings of forests and built a long-lasting tree culture. We believe that the most important issues facing the mountains in the future are to "continue to take care of the mountains" and "increase the number of people who pay attention to the mountains in order to do so. Although the "edible forest" project document I brought to the academy interview was very vague, I felt that if we could complete the "edible forest" project by focusing on even small forest areas as one way to solve this issue, the potential of Japan's mountains would expand even further. Supplementation The "edible forest" is positioned as a multiple-use forest management system, which is a forest that combines timber, special-use forest products, and production forests, while utilizing special-use forest products. It is important to establish uniformity while systematically changing the way of maintenance and management, etc., so that they can be applied to smaller forest areas. Private forests, state-owned forests, school forests, corporate forests, and forests owned by the company. It is desirable to start with company-owned forests in order to properly identify where the needs are, but we have not yet found any mountains. No mountains have been found yet. It is also important to work with partnerships to promote effective mountain development from the planning stage and to make mountain development sustainable. Economic and sustainability are the most difficult issues. During the two years of the Academy Director Course, we have decided to explore and develop the roles and goals of each of the three divisions in order to complete the Eatable Forest as a business. The first is to expand forest maintenance work as a forest maintenance division at Prunery Empty, which is responsible for the landscaping business. The second is to manage the production of edible forest plantations and nuts as the food forest (afforestation) and production division. Third, as the processing and sales division, we will establish "Kitori Shoten" to distribute our products. I would like to present some excerpts of what we have been exploring and doing during our two years at the Academy to make the three divisions work together. I would like to present excerpts of what we have been exploring and doing over the past two years at the Academy. At the same time as the academy started, we started forest maintenance in the training forest as part of our forest maintenance department. The location of the training forest is a part of the property district where we now live. The elevation is about 200 m and the area is about 440 square meters, which is small but just the right size for a reduced model of an edible forest. Before the forest was established, the canopy of the forest was covered with tall evergreen trees, and the understory was covered with many toxic evergreens such as Japanese knotweed and asebi, which deer and other predators do not eat. After thinning and clearing the undergrowth to allow light to penetrate the forest floor, seeds that had been dormant underground sprouted, and understory plants such as kouyabouki and toadflax gradually began to sprout. October 2020 We made a prototype for the processing and sales department. Looking at the growth process of the toadstools and other trees that sprouted under the forest floor in the training forest, it still takes time for them to bear fruit, so in order to find ways to utilize the nuts, we stocked up on nuts and made jam and alcohol. The slide shows a jam made from mountain grapes. Compared to ordinary grapes, yamabudou contains 5.5 times more malic acid, 3 times more vitamin B6, 5 times more iron, 4 times more calcium, and 3 times more polyphenols, and has been confirmed to be effective in inhibiting the development of skin cancer. There are about 100 kinds of edible nuts, berries, and herbs in Mie Prefecture, and if they can be utilized as forest products, the potential of the mountains will expand even further. We now have a place to put the wood and a woodworking lathe, etc., and have begun product development! February 2021 Here is a list of the results of our forest maintenance division over the past year. Thankfully, as we have continued to provide information about the mountains on the Prunery Sora website and social networking sites, we have begun to receive inquiries about forest maintenance, and our forest maintenance work has gradually begun to increase. We will start the second year of the academy by looking back on the past year and organizing what is needed to realize a forest where people can eat, and also by putting our own thoughts and feelings into the academy. April 2021 This is an activity of the forest maintenance department. I have been studying about the maintenance of terraced rice paddies in satoyama and forest maintenance with Dr. Shino Yofu, a doctor of agriculture at Wakayama University, as a result of my work in forest maintenance. In order to further increase my knowledge of the mountains, I have obtained qualifications related to nature, such as an intermediate level of Environmental Restoration Doctor and Assistant Nature Restoration Specialist. June 2021 The forest maintenance section continues. We visited the site of Enomoto Forestry, an instructor of the Academy Player Course, to observe road surface treatment. Enomoto Rinsho's road treatment is a company that still carefully carries on the techniques of Keizaburo Ohashi. The Ohashi method of road construction is designed to minimize the burden on the environment, and it is durable and long-lasting, thus reducing the economic burden. We would like to continue learning about the Ohashi method of path construction and apply it to our forests where we can eat. July 2021. As part of the Food Forest and Production Division, we conducted a survey on the distribution of tree nuts. In the course of researching various edible nuts, I learned for the first time that there is a term for "special-purpose forest products. Special-use forest products are foods, substances, and materials obtained from forests other than timber. While searching the Internet for information on the distribution of special-purpose forest products, I came across a document on the Forestry Agency's website titled "Production Trends of Special-Purpose Forest Products. In addition to mushrooms and wild vegetables, there was also a section titled "Others," so we contacted the Forestry Agency to find out what kinds of items were included in the "Others" category. We learned that the department for special forest products is separated from the department for nuts and berries, and as shown in the slides, nuts are produced and distributed as specialty fruit trees. I was able to reconfirm that there is no small demand for Japanese native tree nuts, and that the possibilities will expand depending on how we communicate with the public. August 2021 In order to develop processed foods from tree nuts, we participated in a food innovation program sponsored by Mie Prefecture. When we talked to the Oyamada Agriculture and Forestry Corporation of Iga City, which was in the same group at that time, about edible forests, they became very interested and invited us to visit their processing plant. Oyamada Agriculture and Forestry Corporation is a company that processes rapeseed oil and food products, and they can also process nuts and other ingredients for consignment manufacturing. October 2021 As an activity of the afforestation and production division, we purchased and planted a species of tree that grows wild in the mountains of Mie Prefecture and produces edible nuts in a training forest that is undergoing forest improvement. Since deer and many other animals can be observed nearby, nets have been placed around the planted trees as a countermeasure against feeding damage. I have only excerpted what we have been doing for the past two years, but I believe that the most important thing is how to connect what we have gained through our actions to our business. As a landscaping business, we are involved with greenery, and our work is supported by nature. That is why we would like to be more involved in the mountains, and would like to promote the charm and culture of the mountains. Two years ago, we set out to complete the "Forest You Can Eat" project by dividing it into three divisions. As a result of our efforts over the past two years, the forest maintenance division has been receiving an increasing number of requests for forest maintenance work and is expanding as a business. In the afforestation and production division, we were able to take the first step forward by planting trees in a training forest. In the processing and sales division, we were able to complete a woodworking shop and start developing woodworking products, and we were able to find a place to process woodnuts. As one means of distributing mountain resources as a product, as mentioned in the processing and sales section at the beginning of this document, we plan to launch the "Woodbird Store" in 2024 through an online store and in a virtual space. We plan to sell canned goods filled with the bounty of the mountains and accessories made from thinned wood, as well as materials harvested in the mountains, to promote the attractiveness of the mountains. Eatable Forest Circulation Map We are trying to complete the cycle of edible forests by establishing each of the three divisions of Forest for Food as a business. If we can complete the cycle of Forest for Food, people will recognize that we can utilize the mountains not only for Forest for Food but also for other resources other than timber, even for small areas of forest! This will increase the number of people who pay attention to the mountains and create a positive cycle that will restore the vitality of Japan's mountains. Although we are just starting out, we will continue our activities with the vision of "making mountain management sustainable by utilizing mountain resources even on a small forest scale" and with the goal of getting as many people as possible interested in the mountains and thinking about and acting on mountain issues as if they were "our own business. We have just taken our first steps and our knowledge and skills are still catching up. We hope that some of you who are watching today are Those who are familiar with special-purpose forest products, those who are forest owners, and forestry who are practicing the Ohashi method of road building, beekeepers beekeepers, beekeepers farmers who produce medicinal plants and specialty forest products Those who can implement a world in Metaverse (we would like to build the same edible forest in virtual space as the real edible forest so that the progress of forest maintenance can be viewed in virtual space). If you are interested in this edible forest project, we would like to hear from you. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the Academy and to my classmates who have allowed me to study with them over the past two years. Thank you very much for taking 15 minutes of your valuable time to listen to this presentation. Supplementary Information Mr. Hayami of Hayami Forestry, a special advisor to the Mie Forestry Academy, asked me a question after my presentation at the Academy, and I regret that I did not respond well. Question from Mr. Hayami What kind of forest body shape are you aiming for? The answer I gave here was that we are aiming for mixed needle mixed forests, but to be precise, we want to manage commercial timber species to increase the economic value of natural forests, while at the same time, we want to cultivate the mountains with the production of NWFP in mind. How do you ensure the productivity of tree nuts and other products? In Japan, they are considered special-purpose forest products, but overseas they are considered non-wood products (NWFP) and tend to be actively traded in tropical forests. Some of them have been improved and are now cultivated as agricultural crops.　We are currently exploring the possibility of applying examples of special-purpose forestry products, which are now generally distributed as commodities, but which were first collected as nuts and other products and secured productivity after a trial and error process.

There are various methods for drying wood, and we will examine underwater drying. Underwater drying is a method in which logs are submerged in water for about six months to a year, and then the logs are removed from the water and dried again for about six months to a year. Submerging the logs in water causes changes in the properties of the tree, as sap components and debris in the tree are released into the water, making it easier for water to escape. The lumber used for the rebuilding of the Ise Jingu Shrine and other shrines every 20 years (shikinen sengu) is left in the water as logs for three years. The water is removed from the logs simply by lifting them out of the water and leaving them standing, but it takes another six months to a year to settle the wood down to the point where it can actually be used as a material. The underwater-dried lumber, which is soaked in water once and then dried, retains just the right amount of nutrients and allows the binding water to drain out without destroying the wood fibers, making it very difficult for the lumber to crack or shrink later on. In the old days, loggers used to make rafts from logs in the mountains and transport the lumber down rivers, not only for logistical reasons, but also because it was a wonderful method of transportation that combined the drying technique of soaking in water, which was practiced in ponds and swamps all over the country. While underwater drying is a wonderful technique and an excellent drying method that is gentle on the wood, it is the most time-consuming drying method and requires a lot of space in ponds and drying areas. Waterlogged logs are said to be 1.5 times heavier than normal logs and cannot be moved by hand, so tow trucks and other vehicles are needed. This is a very small effort, but it is a very effective way to use submerged drying in woodworking. Although it is only a small effort, I would like to introduce the underwater drying technique to woodworking and pass on the wonderful Japanese technology filled with the wisdom of the ancients, if only a little.

Fukusenji Temple in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, consulted with us to clear the graves while keeping the trees alive at least on the tops of the graves, since the branches of the Enoki trees had grown so large that they covered the graves and caused large amounts of fallen leaves to fall during the defoliation season. The elm forest in this temple forest becomes a zelkova-enoki community, a type of forest found in Japan. This forest community is characterized by the presence of two dominant tree species, zelkova and enoki, and the formation of a tall tree layer serves to maintain the delicate balance of the forest. These forests are scattered on the town's micro-elevation plateaus and hillside terrains, often near the various rivers that flow through the town, and are generally located on slightly humid but well-drained land with sandy and gravelly soils. The forests have sandy and gravelly soils. The forest is composed of tall, upright trees, such as zelkova, enoki, and mukunoki, that can reach 13 to 18 meters in height. The second layer is dominated by madake, a type of bamboo that grows to 8 to 12 meters in height. (Moso and madake bamboo at this location) The third layer consists of yabu-nikkei, yabutsu camellia, shirodamo, kakuremino, kurogane-mochi, and aoki, which grow in a sparse forest of madake. The trunks of the trees in this forest are often overgrown with ivy called kizuta, and the forest floor is covered with herbaceous species such as yaburan, yabushimeji, kikkouzou, and yabu carrot, as well as shade- and moisture-resistant species such as yabukouji and teikakazura. Together, these elements form a forest of tall elm trees. Temple forests, also called sacred groves or temple sanctuaries, are a type of forest ecosystem that has been traditionally protected. These forests are often associated with temples and other places of worship and are considered sacred and inviolable by the local people. One of the main characteristics of temple forests is the presence of ancient trees that are hundreds of years old. These trees provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. They also play an important role in maintaining the health of the forest ecosystem by providing shade, regulating soil moisture, and storing carbon. Despite their ecological and cultural importance, temple forests are threatened by a variety of factors, including deforestation, urbanization, and climate change. Therefore, efforts to conserve and protect these forests are important to maintain their ecological and cultural values. Temple forests are an important component of the local landscape, and we hope to continue to be involved in the maintenance of these precious township forests, which play an important role in the ecosystem of this area. モリは守りしていく事が大事。

Sawasabi" and "hata wasabi (forest wasabi)," which are cultivated in wasabi fields with clear streams and in fields and forests, respectively, are native to Japan and grow wild in the mountains and fields from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Conditions for growing field horseradish are difficult and are greatly affected by light levels, climate, and the flow of clear streams, but cultivation of field horseradish can be done in abandoned fields and cedar groves, and is expected to make effective use of forest land. In addition, the leaves and stems of field horseradish also have components found in green manure plants, so it could be used effectively as a landscaping material. However, in recent years, the shortage of bearers due to the aging of producers is becoming more serious. Although we often hear the term "lack of bearers," there are actually many people who want to learn traditional techniques and knowledge and pass them on to the present generation, but it has become clear that there are various problems between those who are currently in charge and those who want to take over. There are some who think that there is no need for them to take over, and there are many cases where things have fallen into disrepair as they are, and it can take a long time to find people who want to take over and teach them. I think that many mechanisms are needed to reincorporate what our predecessors have done into the "natural" habits of people today, but in fact, I think that a very simple approach is also

A request was made to cut down moso bamboo growing on a slope in Yokkaichi City. We were mainly cutting down bamboos growing on the slope, which had become difficult to manage over the years.　The roots of the bamboos alone are not expected to function as a soil retention system, so we cut down the trees while leaving the native trees in place. Some bamboos can grow to 20 meters or more if left alone. Japanese bamboo species include madake, moso bamboo, broken bamboo, onna bamboo, and black bamboo. Bamboo grows by underground stems called chikakei, which grow like roots in the ground. It is very labor intensive to remove the roots by hand, and because of their strong reproductive capacity, it is important to be able to properly manage the bamboo after it has been cut down and maintained. Bamboo trees can be cut down from their roots, but the nutrients stored in the underground stems will cause them to grow back, so there are several methods for maintaining bamboo groves, including rooting out the underground stems with heavy machinery, cutting the parent bamboos to 1 m in January to April, which allows the nutrients stored in the underground stems to be used up and kill them, and creating a thinning zone 1 to 2 m wide around the bamboo to prevent them from running wild. After maintenance, it is important to continuously take bamboo shoots to manage the area.

We visited Komono-cho to clean up the mountain. Komono Town is located in the northern part of Mie Prefecture, with an east-west length of 13 km, a north-south width of 10.6 km, and an area of 107.28 square kilometers. To the west is the ridge of the Suzuka Mountain Range, adjacent to Eigenji Town, Kanzaki-gun, Shiga Prefecture, and Hiyama Town, Koka-gun, Shiga Prefecture. It also borders Daian-cho, Inabe-gun, to the northwest and Yokkaichi City to the east. On the other side, it faces Ise Bay. Existing vegetation in Komono Town refers to natural vegetation that has not been significantly affected by human activities and vegetation that is close to the original vegetation. Examples of existing vegetation include original natural vegetation or vegetation similar to original vegetation that has not been affected by human activities, steep slopes and cliffs that are not easily accessible by humans, and vegetation found around shrines and temples. However, in Komono Town, much of the vegetation that was originally present has been destroyed or replaced by other vegetation due to human influence. This replaced vegetation is called compensatory vegetation. If human influence is eliminated and the vegetation is restored to its natural state over a long period of time, it is referred to as potential natural vegetation. To understand the vegetation in Komono Town, it is useful to first consider the vegetation of the entire Japanese archipelago. The main factors that influence the composition and distribution of vegetation are temperature and the water environment. The aquatic environment in Japan is generally rich due to the maritime climate, but temperature conditions can differ greatly, especially between Okinawa Prefecture in the southern end and Hokkaido in the northern end, and between coastal and mountainous areas. The natural vegetation in Komono Town includes cypress, tabunoki, Japanese white oak, yamanashi, and akagashi, as well as evergreen trees such as kurogane-mochi and kurogane-mochi. In Komono Town, the dominant trees are yabutsu camellia, Japanese knotweed, shashambo, hyssakaki, asebi, katakuri-katakuri, and soyogomodoki. In addition, a variety of plants can be seen, including silver grass, kayazurigusa, and fuchsia. In the Suzuka Mountains, deciduous trees such as Japanese maples and Soyogomodoki, and evergreen trees such as Shashambo and Hizakaki can be seen. Overall, the vegetation in Komono-cho reflects the changing temperature and water environment of the region.

Pine needle tea is a type of tea made from the dried leaves of pine trees, especially red and black pines. It is believed to have originated in ancient China and has traditionally been used as a medicinal beverage with health benefits. The main ingredients of pine needle tea include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, quercetin, chlorophyll, minerals, and terpenes. Each of these ingredients is expected to have a variety of health benefits, including support for skin mucosa, collagen production, bone maintenance, prevention of arteriosclerosis, lowering cholesterol, prevention of osteoporosis, support for bone growth, and relaxation. It should be noted, however, that some pine trees are toxic, so it is safer to purchase pine needle tea than to make it at home. Additionally, those who are allergic to pine need to be careful when drinking pine needle tea and should be aware that it may contain trace amounts of caffeine. Finally, there are many different ways to brew pine needle tea to enhance its flavor and taste. To make pine needle tea, you will need the following ingredients Dried pine needles (red or black pine) Water Honey, lemon, ginger, etc. to taste Here is a simple way to make pine needle tea. Gather ingredients. Collect a small handful of dried pine needles from a pine tree. Make sure the pine needles are fresh and not brown or wilted. You can also purchase dried pine needles from a tea specialty store or health food store. Prepare the pine needles. Wash the needles in cold water to remove dirt and debris. Then chop them into small pieces with a sharp knife or scissors. Boil water. Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. The amount of water needed depends on the number of cups of tea you want to make. Add the needles. Once the water is boiling, add the chopped pine needles to the pot. You only need about 1 tablespoon per cup of water. Steep the tea leaves. Reduce heat to low and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you steep the tea, the stronger the flavor and health benefits. Strain the tea leaves. Use a tea strainer or tea strainer to remove needles from tea leaves. Discard the tea leaves and pour the tea into a mug or teapot. Add ingredients of your choice. If desired, add honey or other sweetener or lemon juice to enhance the flavor. You may also add ginger for its health benefits, such as aiding digestion and reducing inflammation. Serve. The tea is now ready to serve. It can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. Note: Some people prefer to make chilled pine needle tea by soaking the pine needles in cold water for several hours or overnight. To make chilled pine needle tea, simply follow steps 2-3 and place the chopped pine needles in a jar or pitcher of cold water. Cover the jar and let sit in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Strain the needles and serve the tea cold. Pine needle tea is made by boiling or steeping pine needles in hot water. Pine needles are usually collected from May to July when they are most flavorful. In addition to the ingredients listed above, pine needle tea may also contain other nutrients such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids, which may contribute to its potential health benefits. The specific health benefits of pine needle tea may vary depending on the type of pine tree used and the processing method. For example, some studies suggest that pine needle tea made from red pine (Pinus densiflora) has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties, while pine needle tea made from black pine (Pinus thunbergii) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It should be noted, however, that the potential health benefits of pine needle tea have not been extensively studied in humans, and further research is needed to confirm its efficacy. When consuming pine needle tea, it is important to be aware of possible allergies or sensitivities to pine and possible interactions with medications or other health conditions. It is also a good idea to start with a small amount and gradually increase consumption to see how your body reacts. Some ways to brew pine needle tea include boiling the needles, steeping the needles in hot water, or making a cold tea by steeping the needles in cold water for several hours or overnight. Brewing time and temperature can affect the taste and potency of the tea. Some people also add ingredients such as honey, lemon, or ginger to enhance the flavor and potential health benefits of the tea.

Regular maintenance of your yard is essential to keep it looking great and easy to care for. Landscapers can help with tasks such as lawn mowing, trimming hedges and bushes, weeding, watering and fertilizing plants. There are several ways to get customers interested in gardens and the importance of regular maintenance. One way is to promote the benefits of a well-maintained garden. A garden can be a beautiful and relaxing outdoor space that people enjoy and can also increase the value of a home. The landscaper should explain to the customer that a variety of plants can be planted in the yard to give it the desired look and feel, and explain how regular maintenance will help these plants grow. Another way to get customers interested in their own yards is to show them examples of other yards that have been well maintained by regular landscaping services. This can give you ideas for your own garden and help you visualize the potential of your space. It can also advise them on how to care for the different types of plants and features in their garden, including proper watering and pruning methods. Ultimately, the key to getting customers interested in your garden is to make them aware of the importance of regular maintenance and the benefits it can bring. By highlighting the aesthetic and economic benefits of a well-maintained yard and offering expert advice and support, landscapers can help customers understand the value of investing in their outdoor space.

We have been asked to manage a garden with a healthy growth of shimato ash. Pruning is an important part of tree care and must be done correctly to maintain the health and beauty of the shimmering ash. It is especially important to balance pruning with both strong and weak pruning, as shimmering ash trees are known to grow quite large. Winter pruning of evergreens is a bit risky as it can weaken the tree. Therefore, it is important to take this into consideration when caring for your shimmering ash tree. To minimize the risk of weakening the tree, light pruning is recommended, removing only dead or damaged branches or those that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Strong pruning, on the other hand, is the removal of large branches in order to improve the shape of the tree or to make the tree smaller. This type of pruning should be done carefully, as it can stress the tree and cause poor growth. It is important to prune only when necessary; over-pruning can result in poor fruit bearing and bare branches. The secret to successful pruning of the Japanese ash is to strike a balance between shaping and reducing the size of the tree and maintaining its vigor. By following the correct pruning method and being careful not to over-prune, you can keep your Japanese ash healthy for many years to come.

Today, we received a consultation from a couple who came all the way from Iga and wanted to make escort cards with coasters made of Japanese cypress wood for their wedding. The husband is in the forestry business and wanted to use lumber from Iga. Using cypress for wedding escort card coasters would create an elegant and traditional atmosphere. The coasters can also be engraved with the names of guests and used as seating charts and gifts. Hinoki's natural beauty and fragrance make it ideal for special occasions such as weddings. Hinoki is a type of coniferous tree native to Japan. Known as a fragrant wood, it is highly prized in Japan for its use in traditional architecture, furniture, musical instruments, and other decorative items. Hinoki is also believed to have spiritual and medicinal properties. Hinoki's beneficial and auspicious properties include its calming and purifying properties, and its calming scent is often used in traditional Japanese bathhouses (onsen) and temples. Hinoki is also believed to have antibacterial and insecticidal properties, and is often used in traditional Japanese medicine and natural health foods. Others believe that hinoki has spiritual and energetic properties that help create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. For this reason, it is often used in traditional Japanese gardens where it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Overall, hinoki is a highly prized and respected wood in Japan, known for its unique fragrance, beautiful grain, and spiritual and medicinal properties. It is often used to make high-quality, long-lasting products and is often used in traditional Japanese crafts and decorations.

Starting in 2023, students will apply for the "SciLets" environmental recurrent system offered by Mie University and take the course online starting this year. Banners are uploaded with permission. SciLets, offered by Mie University, is an online academic program designed to teach students about local and global environmental issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students access the program via online video lectures and can earn certification as a Science, Community, and Environmental Human Resources Analyst/Expert upon completion of the course. The program also offers options for on-the-job training and collaborative research on environmental technologies and interactions in different fields and industries. Even those of us who primarily care for gardens can benefit from learning about local and global environmental issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Understanding these issues and goals can help gardeners make informed decisions about the plants they use in their gardens and how they work, which can have a significant impact on the environment and the community. For example, gardeners who know the environmental impacts of certain plant species and gardening techniques, such as pesticide- and water-intensive plants, can choose more sustainable alternatives. Similarly, gardeners who are familiar with the SDGs can align their work with the goals of the SDGs and contribute to their achievement. Looking at trends among gardeners around the world, gardeners interested in reducing poverty and inequality can design gardens that provide food and income to low-income households and promote gender equality by involving women in planning and managing gardens. In addition, learning about local and global environmental issues and the SDGs can help gardeners understand the broader context of their work and how it relates to the well-being of their communities and the planet. Environmental Stewardship. Environmental stewardship includes mitigating the impact of human activities on the environment and protecting natural habitats and ecosystems. This can be accomplished through a variety of actions, such as conserving energy and water, reducing waste and pollution, protecting natural habitats and endangered species, and promoting sustainable land use and resource management. By learning about the environmental impacts of different plants and methods, you will be able to choose those that are more sustainable and have less impact on the environment. For example, you can choose native plants that are adapted to the local environment and require less water and fertilizer, or use organic or natural pest control methods instead of synthetic pesticides. Building Community. Gardens bring people together and foster a sense of community. Take advantage of this opportunity to engage with your neighbors and address community issues. For example, a gardener interested in improving community health can design a garden with edible plants or create a space for outdoor physical activity. By learning about the SDGs, we can understand the challenges facing our world today and how our work can contribute to global goals such as eradicating poverty, preserving the environment, and ensuring peace and prosperity. Environmental stewardship is important because the natural environment provides a variety of benefits to humans and all living things, including clean air and water, fertile soil, food, medicine, recreation and aesthetic values. It is also essential to maintaining the earth's natural systems and processes that sustain all life on the planet. We are committed to learning about various environmental issues and natural systems every day and applying this knowledge to our work.