So, Youko Kiga stripped hairy parts of Trachycarpus for her 2022 installation, Meaning of Boundaries. The denuded palm looked like okapi (forest giraffe), one of the stars in Zoorasia. She was amused by this new discovery. “I didn’t intend to have that. But the tree turned into a cute animal-like something. I just left several leaves at the top … By the way, why is that tree so hairy?” Good question. I had a same question from 5th graders last year. They were almost secluded in classroom without any chance of expedition because of COVID-fear. So, they did their field study of science class in their school yard. They had a Trachycarpus tree in a shady corner near the rear entrance of the school building. Despite of such handicapped location, the tree looked thriving. They found it very interesting. They asked me, a forest instructor, “Naomi, why are these trees so hairy?”
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| A school tree |
I brought back this homework and did a little Google search. I found an answer from Professor Hirokazu Tsukaya of Tokyo University, saying “We don’t know.” Trachycarpus (Shuro, in Japanese) is in a family of palm tree. It can survive even in snowy climate of Hokkaidoh. It is not choosy for sunshine it can have, as long as the soil is well-drained. It endures heat of wildfire, or occasional flood of ocean tide. In short, it’s a strong tree. It seems to us Trachycarpus does not need hairy “skin” for protecting itself. Even though, Prof. Tsukaya wrote as their hair covers the base of leafstalks, there would be some function for their shagginess. For humans, their skin has utility value. The fiber is flexible, hard to be rotten, and capable of withstanding damp weather of Japanese climate. It can be a good broom or scrubbing brush. We can make good ropes for gardening, or shoe-brush mat from the skin of Trachycarpus. Traditionally, Japanese found the tree highly useful for housekeeping. That’s one of the reasons Trachycarpus was one of the common garden trees in Japan.
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| Okapi, nay, Trachycarpus de-barked |
Still, in many parts of Japan, this tree is not endemic species. Until about 400 years or so ago, Trachycarpus was found only in the forests of southern Kyushu Island (Trachycarpus fortune). Japanese Trachycarpus can grow tall for more than 10m high. A tree has tens of large fan-shaped leaves. The hairy skin covers the base of these leaves. Maybe due to their size and weight, the leaves of Japanese Shuro often droop form its base or in the middle of fan. Then there was a vogue for planting Trachycarpus imported from China (Trachycarpus watnerianus) for the 17th century gardens of feudal warlords. Chinese version has more compact size in many respects. Their leaves can sustain upright form longer than their Japanese cousin. It is said that feudal lords loved such “straight, sword-like” presentation. The plant became fashionable. Gradually, non-samurais, including rich merchants in cities introduced Japanese and Chinese version for their gardens. OK, so far this is a story of gardening trend some hundreds’ years ago. Now, the behavior of old fashionistas is affecting the 21st century forest maintenance in Yokohama.
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| It grows in such a congested environment. |
Trachycarpus is dioecious. They have yellow bubbly flowers, lots of them, early summer and female Trachycarpus bear small dark blue fruits, lots of them, in autumn. The fruit is berry, though it contains lonicerin, cymaroside, and dioscin, i.e. not suitable for human consumption. Never mind for birds. They eat lots of them and disperse pips as they poop. As long as the soil has above average drainage, pips of Trachycarpus, lots of them, can sprout. Moreover, Japanese and Chinese Trachycarpus can interbreed. Many gardening Trachycarpus, Chinese, Japanese, or interbreeded, have spread their seeds all over Japan, out of garden. They were given names “Stray Palm.” When people found skins of Trachycarpus convenient for daily uses, ubiquitous stray palms were not problem. People harvested wild stray palms as they like. But once their usage was replaced by plastic brooms or scrubs, they, lots of them, were left alone. Trachycarpus are evergreens. Once they become big, their fan-shaped leaves cover the canopy of forest and keep the sunlight away from forest floor. Without sun not many seeds on the forest ground can sprout, except the likes as Trachycarpus. Trachycarpus is getting the moniker “public enemy for forest biodiversity.” National Institute of Environmental Studies designate Trachycarpus “invasive species.”
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| This stray palm has indeed 10m or so high. |
So, we Niiharu Lovers do forestry periodically to “weed” Trachycarpus in the forest. Their once-so-useful hairy skin rejects the usage of chainsaw. Please DO NOT TRY MACHINE WHEN YOU CUT TRACHYCARPUS! It’s so dangerous as their strong hairs will get entangled with the high-speed blades and you lose the control of the machine quickly. When we deal with Trachycarpus, we use handsaw. It still does not solve the problem of hair-imbroglio. Frankly, it’s a hard work. “Gee, now’s the time of dealing with Trachycarpus …” Last year for quite some time, we culled the palm along the ridgeway of Niiharu Citizen Forest. At that time, we praised our work for more sunshine reaching to the cleared ground. Now, in that part of the forest baby Trachycarpus are sprouting already.
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| Hello, hello, dark forest! |
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| How much
congested the ground was, the seed of stray palm can sprout anyway. |
Saving grace is, this palm tree is slow to grow. We are uprooting the seedlings whenever we find a one. We know it’s a never-ending task ... Youko’s installation this year may be a sign there could be another approach for the conversation with Trachycarpus in Yokohama’s forest. For this age of SDGs, the value of bushy coat of Trachycarpus tree should be “re-discovered.” Brooms of Trachycarpus are good for sweeping tatami-mats and wood floors … Oh, by the way, if you have a chance to visit Yokohama Chinatown, there is a nice specialty shop for brushes and brooms, including those made of Trachycarpus hairs. Maybe starting with daily room cleaning with a broom is a start …
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| I think one of our brooms is made of Trachycarpus … |
If you find a problem in the greenery of north-half of Yokohama, please make a contact with
Office for the Park Greeneries in the North
北部公園緑地事務所
Yokohama Municipal Government Creative Environment Policy Bureau
横浜市環境創造局
Phone: 045-311-2016
FAX: 045-316-8420
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