Ecosystem Restoration Japan Project #72156

From Ashes to Forest: Plant 10,000 Trees in Japan

by More Trees

Project Report | Apr 27, 2026
Planting Begins in the Ryori District

By Yu Miyazaki | Director of External Affairs

Hello from Japan!

Thank you so much for your continued support of More Trees. Thanks to your generosity, we are thrilled to share an exciting milestone: in this Spring, the very first planting work has now begun at our initial reforestation site in Ofunato.

Planting Has Officially Begun: The Ryori Site

Our first reforestation site locates in the Ryori district of Ofunato City — a 2.2-hectare land that was directly affected by last year's devastating forest fire. Following the fire, the standing dead conifers were logged and cleared from the area. As we move into the restoration phase, our goal is to create a forest that is more resilient to fire than what stood here before.

From March through April, our team carried out site preparation work and installed wildlife protection nets to safeguard the young seedlings from deer and other animals. Planting is expected to be completed around May.

What We're Planting: Choosing Species for Resilience and Rootedness

For this first planting, we have selected two main species from among the native broadleaf trees of the region: Konara oak (Quercus serrata) and Uri-hada maple (Acer rufinerve). Both are well-suited to the current environment and contribute to a more fire-resistant forest structure compared to the artificial conifer forests that previously dominated the landscape.

In addition to these two primary species, we plan to incorporate a smaller number of seedlings from other native species, creating a diverse and ecologically rich forest from the very start.

Nature as a Partner: Hoping for Natural Regeneration

One encouraging feature of the Ryori site is that a portion of broadleaf forest has survived in the surrounding area. This means that over time, seeds from these existing trees may naturally disperse into the planting site, germinate, and contribute to the forest's recovery on their own.

We see this as a powerful reminder that reforestation is not just about what we plant — it is also about making space for nature to do its own healing. By combining deliberate planting with the potential for natural regeneration, we hope to build a forest that is both deeply rooted in the local ecosystem and resilient for generations to come.

We will continue to provide updates on the progress of planting and the growth of the seedlings in future reports. Your support is what makes this work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your belief in the regeneration of this landscape.

Wesincerely appreciateyour ongoing support!

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Jan 8, 2026
Preparation for the New Project

By Yu Miyazaki | Director of External Affairs

Hello from Japan! Thank you very much for supporting the projects of More Trees. Thanks to your generosity, we are steadily moving forward with preparations to help restore the forests of Ofunato.

This Update: Selecting Reforestation Sites

At present, the city of Ofunato, together with the prefectural and national governments, is working collaboratively on restoring plans. This forest fire was large in scale, affecting approximately 9% of the city’s total area. However, the area that can be replanted using public subsidies covers only a portion of what is actually needed.

In response, More Trees has decided to use your donations to carry out reforestation in the areas that fall outside the scope of government subsidies. While we begin on a small scale—just a few hectares—we are moving ahead with preparations for further planting, coordinating closely with local stakeholders.

What Kind of Forest Are We Creating?: Focusing on Native Broadleaf Trees

In Japan, there was a period when coniferous trees were planted extensively for timber production. In many cases, conifers were planted without regard for the original vegetation, and today artificial conifer forests account for about 40% of all forests in Japan. However, due to a shortage of forestry workers and declining timber prices, many of these forests are no longer properly managed and have fallen into neglect, which has become a nationwide issue.

More Trees does not adhere to a policy of planting conifers at all costs. Instead, we have consistently advocated for forest restoration centered on tree species that are native to the land. In Ofunato as well, we plan to plant several species of broadleaf trees that naturally grow in the surrounding area.

Preparing Seedlings: Growing Them from Local Seeds

Reforestation requires seedlings. To avoid the risk of genetic disturbance that can occur when bringing in seedlings from outside the region, we place great importance on using seedlings grown from seeds collected in the same area as the planting site. This autumn, we collected seeds around Ofunato and sowed them. While these seedlings will not be ready in time for planting next spring, we expect them to be usable for reforestation efforts in two to three years.

In our next report, we will share updates on the preparation status of the planting sites and the implementation schedule. With your continued support as our driving force, we will keep working toward the regeneration of the local landscape.

We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support!

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