Japan's Tree Doctors: Plant surgeons help keep Tokyo's greenery healthy

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02:13

In Japan, a country where two-thirds of the land mass is covered by trees and forests, arborists play a vital role in keeping plants healthy and verdant. Mayu Yoshida has more from Tokyo.

At this park in central Tokyo, there are people working behind the scenes to keep these trees strong, like Tetuso Minomata, a tree doctor with over two decades of experience. He treats his patients with care and conducts regular checkups. He can diagnose a tree's condition by simply looking at its leaves and branches.

TETUSO MINOMATA CHAIRMAN OF TOKYO TREE DOCTORS' PROJECT "Trees require a large space to grow because the roots are the most important element. For old trees, we examine if it's possible to preserve abundant soil around the roots. For newly planted trees, we check if they are planted in a wide space, large enough to grow long roots."

Researchers say trees in megacities like Tokyo are important because they help improve air quality. According to World Health Organization data, fine dust particle levels in Tokyo are a fraction of that in other Asian cities like Hong Kong, Seoul, and Beijing.

TETUSO MINOMATA CHAIRMAN OF TOKYO TREE DOCTORS' PROJECT "I think the volume of trees in Tokyo has increased in the past 20-years. At the same time, new diseases and pests are increasing too. So, I feel that it's becoming more difficult for a tree to grow healthy and strong in the city."

MAYU YOSHIDA TOKYO "There are thousands of registered tree doctors across Japan. Many of them look after traditional gardens like this. Trees are essential in a garden's landscape, which typically avoids artificial elements and highlights the surrounding natural terrain."

Throughout history the Japanese have taken great pride in cultivating and managing traditional gardens. But urban development and industrialization threaten mother nature. So, when a tree gets sick, a call to a tree doctor could be just what the doctor ordered. Mayu Yoshida, CGTN, Tokyo.