Flower arrangement with living cedars: Pruning in Hakone 箱根

Hakone Sengokubara 仙石原

Last year’s monster typhoons threw Hakone 箱根 into a mess. Lake Ashinoko 芦ノ湖 overflew. Town’s roads system was destroyed by landslides. Railroads lost their tracks with collapsed mountain slopes … One year has passed since then. Fortunately (or not), according to this analysis, Japanese have accumulated the know-how to swiftly deal with such problems. The transportation system in Hakone has restarted its normalcy this July, 3 months earlier than the original schedule. Recently, I’ve been there. Yeah, in spite of the COVID-things, Hakone is resuming its tourism business. Traffic congestions were here and there. Impressive.

Fukuzumiro 福住楼,
 one of traditional Japanese hot-spa inns in Hakone

Though, the effect of Japanese oak tree wilt (; my post on August 23, 2019) is remaining in Hakone. The area was the first in Kanagawa Prefecture where we noticed the dying trees, some 3 or 4 years ago. Several mountain slopes in Hakone are now covered with desiccated brown patches that are definitely-not autumn leaves. Sad. Despite of ferocious typhoon winds last year, those dead trees keep on standing … It is remarkable, certainly. But, how long will it take for Hakone to recover mountains covered with healthy greens? I wonder.

The restored train operation,
 and unrestored mountain with oak tree wilt
 in Hakone

Hakone is also seeing the problems of overpopulated Shika deer. Tanzawa 丹沢, Hakone’s eastern neighbor, is having this problem for years. When we enter Tanzawa mountains we must cover our foot against vampire leeches carried by deer population (; my post on 14 July 2017). Shizuoka Prefecture 静岡県, the western neighbor of Hakone, also having the issues with the animal. Hakone has spared such challenges so far, but it could be a matter of time if its adjacent areas are full of deer (; my post on 21 July 2017). Actually, when we mow the forest floor in Hakone, saplings and young trees are often become lunch for hungry deer. As the place is the National Park, the authorities are more alarmed if such popular tourist destination having bold mountains and pestering vampire worms as her neighbors.

Lunch for deer

So, one day when we pruned the boughs of young pollen-free cedars (my post on December 16, 2016), the Prefectural office asked forest instructors to have a novel measure to protect the trees. Trees can withstand a bit of bites on their body, but once stripping of their skin becomes substantial enough, it dies. Voracious deer don’t care if a forest is dying due to their eating habit. So it comes the novel way to protect the young trees. We covered the foot of pruned cedars with its removed boughs, just like wearing skirts. Our intention was, by protecting trunks of young trees, deer cannot gnaw barks of the forest. “You see? Christmas wraths made of cedars keep its green for at least 2 years. The protection we made today would last for some time. Trees can grow stronger meanwhile.” I see. “You try to have a viewpoint of hungry deer. They come here and try to chew the vegetation within the reach of their mouth.” I imagined myself entering the forest on all fours and extending my neck to have a lunch. “Well, this lower space looks appetizing.” i.e. We had to cover that part. We fastened the branches leaned on a trunk by tying them with a longer cedar bough. They were flexible enough to be a securing band. “We cannot do this with cypress, you know.” It was a fun operation. We were becoming more artistic to make an interesting barrier around the trunks. It was like doing a flower arrangement in a forest.

Cedars wearing skirts

This installation is figurative,
 don’t you think?

We don’t know if our approach is effective to protect the forest from insatiable herds of deer. In any case, something is happening for forests of Japan. This fall, we’ve heard so many news about hungry wild animals, like deer, serow, bear, boar, … wondering into human settlement for food. It’s rainy fall this year. Winter is approaching …

If you find environmental issues in Kanagawa Prefecture, please make a contact with Kanagawa Natural Environment Conservation Center 神奈川県自然環境保全センター

657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121
〒243－0121　厚木市七沢657
Phone: 046-248-0323

You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/

Under construction: Yadoriki Water Source Forest, Fall 2020 やどりき水源林

 

Now we know we have to learn to co-live with COVID-19. Kanagawa Forest Instructors Association has resumed our activity in Yadoriki Water Source Forest やどりき水源林 with new measures. When we guide the forest for visitors, we wear face masks and carry hand sanitizers. We check enough supply of soaps in toilets frequently … Having said that, actually, Yadoriki Water Source Forest is closed for its 4/5 coverage for the rest of the year.

The latest map for Yadoriki Watersource Forest.
 The area enclosed by black arrows are
 the only part we can enter now.

Kanagawa Prefecture decided to utilize this “with-COVID” situation when we are a sort of hesitant to go out. They are doing the civil engineering works to restore forestry roads that were destroyed last year by monster typhoons (; my post on November 1 and 22, 2019). The prefecture is also busy in forestry for the afforested area, especially in the westside of Yadoriki Stream. That was a part devastated by the typhoons last year. They are clearing the broken trees. In addition, the contract foresters are thinning the forest for the “fittest” cedars and cypresses, hoping they become large enough trees to secure the soil against future huge storms.

Restoration work for the embankment of the Open Space.
 I guess, their idea is piling up huge rocks along the bank
 would lessen the damage of flush flood.
 Er … let us see.

So, trucks loaded by rocks are busy commuting
 between the forest and some depot for rocks.

Especially during Monday to Saturday, when you visit Yadoriki Water Source Forest now, you will be greeted by thunderous noise of road constructions, for creation of embankments, and of thinning chainsaws … It’s totally up to you to enjoy the scenery, or not. Yeah. The noise is not non-stop for sure. That’s the difference between the construction works in city center and in deep forest … We forest instructors are a bit sad to find our beloved hazelnuts trees were cut to make a new forestry road. My seniors were also disappointed a pillow lava, which they polished to confirm its crystalized surface due to its formation millions of years ago, was thrown away as a trash … The area where we instructors have been doing the forestry is now inaccessible due to bulldozers. *Sigh*

Where is the polished lava?

The Prefecture plans to end all of these hubbubs by the end of the year. We are waiting now … Anyway, by the time the new forestry roads are ready in Yadoriki Forest, we may have some remedy against COVID-19. Let’s be patient and keep crossing our fingers.

If you find environmental issues in Kanagawa Prefecture, please make a contact with Kanagawa Natural Environment Conservation Center 神奈川県自然環境保全センター

657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121
〒243－0121　厚木市七沢657
Phone: 046-248-0323

You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/

Disturbance: Typhoon Hagibis for Yadoriki Water Source Forest

Yadoriki Water Source Forest やどりき水源林 also had substantial disturbance by Typhoon Hagibis. At this moment, the Forest is off limit for visitors, and the gate for the forestry roads to Yadoriki Forest is locked. As of November 1st, after Hagibis, the area had two more long torrential rains, and numerous mini squalls. Yadoriki Forest’s recovery from the Hagibis is unpredictable at best.  We Kanagawa Forest Instructors have not received information from the Prefectural Office when the gate is open ... This week, I report you scars I’ve found in Yadoriki two weeks after the visit of Hagibis. I hope you could have some idea about the situation.

The way Nakatsugawa River 中津川 / Yadoriki Stream 寄沢 flows has changed. Above photo was taken at the point before Hadano Forestry Road begins. The river goes around nearer to the banks so that many points have collapsed by strong rains from Hagibis and others. (Oh, yes, Nakatsugawa River and Yadoriki Stream are the same flow. It changes name at Yadoriki Bridge 寄大橋.)

Mini landslides are here and there along the community road from Yadoriki community 寄 to the gate of Yadoriki Water Source Forest. It would take a couple or so of dry months before the soil stabilizes. As we have to think the effect of frost and frozen ground during winter in this part of our prefecture, it may be difficult to expect the situation improves quicker. If you plan to drive to red Yadoriki Bridge, please be very careful.

Red Yadoriki Bridge over there.
 Could you see a large log was caught by the weir?

Inside the gate for Yadoriki Water Source Forest, the road condition is worse. Its forestry road which was passable for a city car before is now for off-road types only.

It seems to me
 animals are taking the advantage of
 human-less environment in Yadoriki now.

Yadoriki stream inside the Yadoriki Water Source Forest has changed its shape drastically after the rains. It destroyed trekking roads along the stream from the gate and eroded the open space. It seems to me substantial amount of large rocks and logs were carried by the flood to the downstream.

Destruction

It’s a matter of time before these picnic benches are gone.

Forestry road in the Water Source Forest collapsed in the middle. So, beyond this point it is strictly closed for the unauthorized visitors. The soil was washed away below the asphalt.

Here and there, Yodoriki’s utility forestry roads are covered by landslides like this. Though, these points could be cleared soon as the season of logging is approaching.

And cones of conifers promptly utilize the chance
of sunshine for sprouting thanks to the land collapses.
 Mini-forest. Cute.
 (And they will be gone quickly by the next slide …)

It seems to me Hadano Forestry Road 秦野林道 also has large disturbances due to these rains by typhoons and others. The streams along the road certainly experienced large flows and landslides. This is Teshiro Stream 手代沢. Before we could not see the waterfall from the forestry road. Now both sides of the valley collapsed and trees that concealed the vista were broken or washed away. Yeah, the view from Teshiro Bridge 手代橋 is nicer now, but can the bridge last when the next big storm comes?

Map of Hadano Forestry Road

Above is a stream that is filled with soil avalanches. This is a naturally made dam creating a pond whose surface was just few inches below the paved forestry road. I will not be surprised if Hadano Forestry Road collapses here when the next large rain comes.

Majority of Yadoriki Forest is owned by the Prefectural Government so that how to deal with the situation is, in the end, totally up to the budgetary condition of Kanagawa Prefecture 神奈川県. Geologically Tanzawa mountains are very fragile. (More to this soon.) Scars in the forest by 2019 storms can easily expand. They may turn into debris-avalanche that would swallow human settlements downstream … I don’t know. I’ve heard all the people in Yadoriki Community inherited a warning from their ancestors, saying “When the water of Nakatsugawa River turns white, run!” Fingers crossed.

If you find environmental issues in Kanagawa Prefecture, please make a contact with Kanagawa Natural Environment Conservation Center 神奈川県自然環境保全センター

657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121 

〒243－0121　厚木市七沢657

Phone: 046-248-0323

You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/

Disturbance; Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis for Yokohama’s Forest

This year so far, Kanto Region has had two uber-destructing typhoons. One was Typhoon Faxai on September 9^th, and another was Typhoon Hagibis on October 12^th. Both gave us a heck of scenery in our forest. Let me show you what they did.

In Niiharu 新治市民の森, the slopes facing to north-east received a ton of mess after Typhoon Faxai. The slope in front of the Satoyama Civic Center had lots of broken trees and bamboos, large and small, like this.

Also in Niiharu, our chestnut orchard had a substantial damage. It was just before we would have harvested this years’ nuts. Many trees have been wrung their trunks in the middle by strong winds, with not-yet-open burrs. Currently, Lovers of Niiharu is discussing with the City if we have to deforest the slope, and replant chestnuts, or else, from a scratch. I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sad we cannot harvest Niiharu’s chestnuts this year. The taste of these trees was definitely earthier and richer than that of supermarket version. Baking chestnut cake from them was becoming my annual ritual … One of my seniors consoled me. “Naomi, it is said 3 years for chestnuts and peaches. You wait for only 3 years.” I will. *sigh*

Bamboo forests in Niiharu also became a jumble with Faxai.

Basically, cedars and cypresses are the species which do not take their roots deeply in Japan. So, when strong winds, like 50 meters/s (180 km/h), hit their sweet spot, they are turned over from the root, like here.

Cedars and cypresses can be snapped easily as well, like this found near Yokohama Zoorasia. One of the reasons they are loved by foresters is they are soft so that it’s easy to process them for building materials. With super typhoons, their merit becomes their weakness.

So, it was shocking to me to find out hard but elastic Quercus myrsinaefolia were broken here and there, just like conifers. They looked so large and mighty, but …

The condition is worse for Segami Citizen Forest 瀬上市民の森. Typhoon Faxai not only broken trees but brought lots of land slides there. At this moment, almost all their walking routes for visitors are off-limit. One of my friends who is a member of Segami Lovers told me they were also shocked to see their rice paddies are filled with the soil avalanche. “You see? We were planning to harvest rice several days after September 9^th, and now this. All the crops of ours are damaged. I guess Segami’s fireflies are also experiencing disaster to survive … I’m not sure if we can enjoy their night dance next June …” Cities of Kamakura and Hayama have black outs both with Faxai and Hagibis due to strong winds and land collapsing with torrential rain. These places are very near to Yokohama’s South Forest, including Segami Forest. Segami Forest could have another fresh landslides after Typhoon Hagibis ... I don’t know … I won’t see her till next week ... As landslides and flood can happen long after the storm passes, the place would be vulnerable at least till the end of October … The Lovers of Segami are currently very busy to clean up the aftermath. I guess they are having a hard time … We Niiharu Lovers are also crisscrossing our forest to tidy up the situation at least along the trekking routes for visitors. This is a mighty task, I tell you.

You see? This cherry tree was broken in the middle by Faxai. And below is a popular promenade. Lovers of Niiharu took care of the situation.

This one is definitely to be removed. We reported the situation to the City. We hope they will treat the matter promptly.

A falling cedar, even if it’s just less than 30cm of diameter, can broke a concrete fence with a ∅2cm iron mandrel, as such.

Typhoon Hagibis made almost all the trekking route of Niiharu Forest into tiny streams, sometimes with gushing water. This photo was taken in our proud forest of ferns. I was a sort of convinced why this part of Niiharu has diverse colonies of ferns. It must have sufficiently high underground water levels that can come out when it’s ready, like this.

After Typhoon Hagibis, Niiharu Forest suddenly had lots of small ponds here and there. Thank God, we didn’t have floods and landslides like elsewhere.

At the beginning when I saw dramatic scenery with super typhoons this year first hand, I was astonished and thought about the tasks we had to do to tidy up the mess. Then, I realized it’s just a part of life for forest. There even is a moniker to describe such things, aka, Disturbance. Yap. Forest needs such things. When a large tree is snapped, the sky it blocked for the undergrowth suddenly open. Who knows what kind of vegetation comes out next spring in newly created “Empty” space? Extraordinary amount of rainfall due to global warming may have changed the underground water system for Niiharu’s forest of ferns. That’s something larger than the argument between professors and Lovers of Niiharu about mowing there. Amazing. We humans are just a tiny part of forests. I have to remember it.

Regarding Yadoriki Water Source Forest, Kanagawa Forest Instructors have information of substantial damage by Typhoon Hagibis. With Hagibis there have been several deaths in Kanagawa Prefecture by engaging with surged streams in the mountains. I guess Yadoriki Stream has changed its face dramatically again. Prefectural Office is warning us not to go there until they complete the damage assessment. As of today, I have not been there so that I cannot tell you the situation with my own words. I’m planning to go there to see the forest by myself, once the weather becomes more stable. Today, it’s raining hard again. I can see an egg of typhoon might be growing off Philippines with satellite data … PLEASE DO NOT ENTER YADORIKI WATER SOURCE FOREST until the safety is assured. I will report the situation once I have a chance to go there.

A gap in the forests’ canopy. A new day is born.

If you find an environmental issues in Kanagawa Prefecture, please make a contact with Kanagawa Natural Environment Conservation Center 神奈川県自然環境保全センター

657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121 〒243－0121　厚木市七沢657
Phone: 046-248-0323

You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/