A Solution to Lumber Shortages
In the 14th century, Japanese foresters in Kyoto developed daisugi, a technique that allowed multiple straight trunks to grow from a single tree. This was a response to a growing demand for high-quality timber while conserving space in mountainous regions.
Precision and Patience
Daisugi involves carefully pruning cedar trees, allowing them to produce tall, straight shoots. These shoots can be harvested like normal logs, but the parent tree remains intact and continues to grow more wood. A single tree can produce usable timber every 20 years.
Stronger and More Flexible Wood
Wood from daisugi-pruned trees is denser and more flexible than standard cedar, making it ideal for building tea houses and traditional homes. The technique became especially popular for crafting sukiya-zukuri architecture, known for its refined aesthetics.
Still Practiced Today
Though less common now, daisugi is still practiced in parts of Japan, particularly in Kyoto. The visually striking appearance of these trees—resembling bonsai on a large scale—has also made them a cultural curiosity and a continued example of traditional Japanese forestry techniques.
In the 14th century, Japanese foresters in Kyoto developed daisugi, a technique that allowed multiple straight trunks to grow from a single tree. This was a response to a growing demand for high-quality timber while conserving space in mountainous regions.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/HYANZ4rHIr
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) March 9, 2025