Akita cedar - Akitasugi

Japanese: 秋田杉 - あきたすぎ

Cedar grown in Akita Prefecture. A so-called forestry variety. Formerly, it referred to Tensugi (natural cedar) and was distinguished from Zousugi (cedar wood grown artificially). It is mainly grown in the Yoneshiro River basin and the northern part of the prefecture. In natural forests, some trees reach an age of 150 to 200 years. In forestry, cedars are classified as Omotesugi (front cedar) on the Pacific coast and Urasugi (back cedar) on the Japan Sea coast. Akita cedar is classified as Urasugi, and its characteristic is that it reproduces by drooping its lower branches and growing roots when it touches the ground, becoming independent. It is considered one of the three most beautiful forests in Japan, along with Kiso Hinoki and Aomori Hiba, and is known nationwide as an excellent general building material with its dense annual ring width, unique wood fragrance and color, and flexible material. Currently, the accumulation of natural cedar is decreasing.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

秋田県産の杉。いわゆる林業品種。以前は特に天杉 (天然杉) を指し，造杉 (人工植栽による杉材) と区別していた。おもに米代川流域，県北部一帯を中心に産出する。天然林には樹齢 150～200年に達するものがある。林学上，杉は太平洋側のものを表杉，日本海側のものを裏杉と類別されるが，秋田杉は裏杉とされ，特徴は，下枝が下垂して地面につくと発根して独立する伏状繁殖をすることである。木曾のひのき，青森のひばとともに日本の三大美林とされ，緻密な年輪幅，独特な木香と色沢，柔軟な材質で優良な一般建築材として全国に知られている。現在は天然杉の蓄積が減少している。

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