「困った木」で作る 時木の積層

1950〜60年代にかけて戦後の復興需要によってスギやヒノキなど、成長が早く建築用材に適した針葉樹の植林が一斉におこなわれました。しかし急斜面など伐採に適さない地形にも植樹が及び、間伐期を迎えても伐り出されずに育ちすぎてしまった木も全国的に多くあります。今回三重県亀山市を拠点に地域の木で住まいやオーダー家具を手がける〈ノッティーハウスリビング〉から取得した木もその一部で、同社の親会社である〈三栄林産〉が植林したスギとヒノキ。植えたあとに林道を整備せず、手入れも間伐もできないという悪循環は、全国的な課題となっています。

Tree Trying to Support the Post-war Period

In the 1950s and 60s, during Japan’s postwar reconstruction, there was a nationwide push to plant fast-growing coniferous trees such as cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki), which were well-suited for use in construction. However, planting extended even to steep and difficult-to-access terrain, where logging would later prove challenging. As a result, many of these trees were never properly thinned and have grown too large, a situation seen across the country. The trees we acquired this time are part of that legacy. They came from Knotty House Living, a company based in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, that builds homes and custom furniture using local wood. These particular trees—cedar and pine—were originally planted by its parent company, Sanei Rinsan. The lack of follow-up, such as developing access roads and performing necessary maintenance and thinning, has led to a vicious cycle—one that has become a widespread issue throughout Japan.