NPO Revives Dying Sacred Camphor Tree in Kyoto

A sacred giant camphor tree about 60 years old located on the grounds Iwaya Shrine in Kyoto City suddenly started showing signs of death in the summer of 2003. The tree stands near the shrine's Otabisho, a lodge for traveling gods. Wishing to save the tree, a favorite of local residents for many years, the shrine sought help from an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to creating living environments in harmony with nature, the Mori-no-kai, literally, "forest group. " This NPO investigated the causes and took steps to improve of the tree's environment, and the tree finally bounced back, putting forth fresh, green leaves in the summer of 2004.

The sacred tree stands at an intersection on the old Nara Road that connects Kyoto and Nara. This historic byway bears no resemblance to its former state, as it has been paved with asphalt and is full of traffic emitting exhaust fumes.

The investigation carried out by the Mori-no-kai revealed that the roots of the tree had been damaged by the asphalt pavement, and by a concrete gutter and a concrete bus stop pole, which negatively impacted its powers of transpiration. Some of its roots had also extended into the gutter and unintentionally absorbed accumulated sludge.

The NPO removed the asphalt and concrete surrounding the tree, cultivated the soil and laid ventilation and drainage pipes underground. It also requested the shrine to establish management practices for keeping the ditch free of sludge. The group continued to care for the tree through the spring season, and the tree slowly recovered. When summer came, it broke out into beautiful green foliage. "Superficially viewed, trees appear robust. When environmental changes occur, they try to endure to the utmost limits without showing any sign of weakness. Thus, some trees suddenly become weak and/or surrender to death." said Mr. Tomonori Yano of Mori-no-kai.




Posted: 2005/02/18 10:18:02 AM
Japanese version