Tree Care in Tokyo
Japanese garden care in Tokyo
Seasonal care for a Japanese garden, done the Japanese way — and explained in English as we go.
A Japanese garden is shaped by small, regular work through the year rather than one big cut. If you live in a house with a Japanese garden — or have just moved into one — this is the care it expects.
Through the year
- Pines — midori tsumi (pinching the spring candles) in spring, and thinning old needles in late autumn and winter.
- Clipped shrubs — the rounded azaleas and other shrubs of karikomi are clipped after flowering, so next year’s buds are not lost.
- Garden trees (niwaki) — maples and other trees are thinned with sukashi so the branch structure stays visible and light. What makes a niwaki.
- Moss, ground and paths — keeping moss healthy, clearing leaves and checking stones and lanterns for safety.
- Winter work — structural pruning of deciduous trees while they are bare.
How we work together
After a first visit, I suggest a simple yearly plan — which visits, which season, and what each will do. Some clients like to learn the basics and do light work themselves between visits; I am happy to show you how.