Employee and Family Members Carry Out Volunteer Afforestation Activities in Hitachi High-Tech Yasato Forest

On Saturday, May 11, we held a forest cultivation event as part of our forestry activities at “Hitachi High-Tech Yasato Forest,” which is aimed at contributing to the prevention of global warming, among other objectives. The event included activities such as forest pruning and thinning with the cooperation of the Ibaraki Forest Management Office and the Haga District Forest Association. A total of 45 people, including Hitachi High-Tech Group members, their families, and secretariat staff members, participated in the event.

Regular forest cultivation activities are essential to grow the cypress trees straight and tall in Yasato Forest.

First, we carried out thinning, which involves cutting down some trees to reduce the density of the overcrowded forest. This is done because when trees grow too close together, sunlight cannot reach the forest floor, preventing the growth of underbrush, which causes the nutrient-rich soil on the surface to be washed away by rain, hindering the trees’ growth.

After thinning, we worked on pruning, cutting away unnecessary branches to help the trees grow strong without knots.

Additionally, a staff member from the Ibaraki Forest Management Office gave a lecture on “Knowledge about broadleaf forests,” deepening our understanding of the types of trees and nature in the broadleaf forest outside the cypress forest.

Following lunch, those who wished to participate set up birdhouses, working to create an environment where wildlife can live comfortably.

The Hitachi High-Tech Group will continue cultivating forests and conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainability management.

For information on the Hitachi High-Tech Group's efforts to conserve biodiversity, please visit the following website.