Care for the Environment

Efforts to maintain and revitalize satoyama (undeveloped woodland) in Ohme city

Through initiatives in collaboration and cooperation with Ohme city and the Ohme Mushroom Production Association, Yamabiko Corporation is working to restore neglected forests in the city (broadleaf forest) and increase the public functions of the forests, prevent damage from wild animals and natural disasters as a result of the destruction of forests and also produce shiitake-growing logs and firewood using the coppiced broadleaf trees.

This place, which was formerly a satoyama, became a dark forest after many decades without human intervention. Since there are parks and private houses right next to it, the citizens in the periphery were worried about wild animals and other problems.

In addition to lending machinery and safety equipment, Yamabiko Corporation seeks to assist the community through collaborative activities such as organizing classes on safety. Additionally, through the use of our products in the mountain forests, we are able to view things from the customers' perspective and develop even better products.

The work involves clearing undergrowth from early summer to fall. In winter, standing trees are felled and cut into the right sizes for mushroom logs and firewood. Small branches are pulverized by machine and used as a base for fertilizer or for rearing rhinoceros beetle larvae.

We have confirmed the coppicing (regrowth from stumps) of broadleaf trees, and we believe that continuing this activity will lead to the restoration of this satoyama.

Ohme city holds log shiitake cultivation classes for ordinary citizens every year and distributes woods harvested from local mountains to the citizens. The members of the Ohme Mushroom Production Association are professionals who cultivate precious log-grown shiitake around Japan, and they are undertaking this activity with great enthusiasm.