How Japan’s Hinoki Trees Are Changing Meteorology as We Know It

Our trees and forests have a direct impact on our weather. By sucking up water in their roots and turning it into vapour, they help to create cloud formations and bring us regular rain. Amazing! But did you know that forests could also be the key to learning more about meteorology? In particular we are talking about Japan’s Hinoki Trees, which could change how we perceive weather forever.

Hinoki Trees Can Show Us the Past

In a laboratory in Northern Kyoto, Japan, a scientist named Takeshi Nakatsuka has made an incredible discovery: we can track rainfall from thousands of years ago through the rings of Hinoki Trees. Along with 68 collaborators, Nakatsuka has spent ten years perfecting a method of using the trees to unlock secrets of the past. Now they can track precipitation over Japan for 2,600 years.

Interestingly, they discovered that around every 400 years or so, Japan would have a period of extreme wetness. There would be a period of heavy rainfall, causing flooding and famine, followed by years of warmer, dry weather which is needed for rice cultivation.

How Does It Work?

Nakatsuka and his team have been working with isotope ratios to calculate precipitation. They use the Hinoki – a cypress which can live for thousands of years – to examine the isotope ratios within the wood of trees of different ages. By cleverly comparing the rings in the wood, Nakatsuka can start to piece together the weather conditions as the tree was growing.

On drier days, for example, Nakatsuka knows that the leaves of a tree lose more water, and so the tree has a higher isotope ratio in the wood. These isotope ratios can then be matched across trees. By doing this, a timeline of weather from 600 BC to 2000 AD has been created.

The Secrets Unlocked About Japanese Society

What is even more amazing is how Nakatsuka and his team have managed to match their findings to historical events. The weather, it seems, played a large part in the development of Japan and the lives of its people, giving us a key insight into how people thought and lived at the time.

During times of little rainfall, irrigation systems and groundwater tech were developed. These systems were designed to reduce the effects of drought. There were also policies brought in by the government to prevent their people from starving. These leaps forward in Japan’s society were thought to be in line with social change at the time, though now we know that was not the case – they were all to do with the weather!

Rice, the chief currency at the time, would also be affected by the weather. Japan’s very economy could shift and alter depending on rainfall, plunging some into poverty and lifting others into great wealth.

What Should We Learn From This?

In the coming decades, it is incredibly likely that we will face more extreme weather – similar to the flooding and droughts experienced by the Japanese. By studying how their societies changed during variable rainfall, we can learn more about how humans cope in these extremes. Secrets of how weather could affect our economy and our livelihoods are uncovered and, though worrying, they could help us prepare for the future.

Learn More About The World’s Trees With EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we are timber experts and love to delve into interesting aspects of the industry – just like this! If you would like to learn more about the forests of the world, the incredible species of timber out there, and how you can use it in construction, be sure to read more on our blog. Or take a look at our wide range of sustainable timber species to learn more about the trees of our world.

Image: T.Kai / Shutterstock.com

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Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

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Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

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There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

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Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

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We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

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Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

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We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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