The use of as many plants as possible which are native to the region in property
development is a growing trend as society shifts toward a goal to co-exist with nature.
In the midst of these trends, Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping has defined Harmonic Plants®
guidelines for
selecting plants species based on greening areas with the concept that using indigenous and local
species in
greening plans is in the best interest of natural revitalization. The Company has been promoting
this model up until
now.
There are plants that have grown in Japan since long ago (native plants) and plants that have come
to Japan from abroad
(migration plants) for trees. Among these migration plants, there are species that will overrun
areas where native
plants live due to their characteristics, which endanger the biodiversity of the region (invasive
plants*).
Garden vegetation plans are separated into four areas that take into account the
conservation level
(protected areas, conservation areas, satoyama areas, urban areas) to select plant species based on
these areas. For
example, in urban areas when building gardens for residences, the colorfulness is represented by
selecting a balance
of greening plants from non-invasive migration plants around a main selection of native plants,
including garden
variety plants. In addition, the Group has in place a policy of not using invasive plants that
clearly have an
adverse impact on local ecosystems and a division responsible for coordinating technology at
Sumitomo Forestry
Landscaping Co., Ltd. checks that such species are not used.
* Specified alien species and alien species requiring caution as stipulated by
the Invasive Alien Species Act
Approach to Planting Areas
Contributions to Property Development
Forest Garden Hadano Receives the First ABINC Certification As a Detached
Housing Complex
Sumitomo Forestry strives in the residential property development
business by providing
roughly 350 high-quality single-family spec homes each year through technical expertise
accumulated in new
custom-built housing and landscaping businesses. We develop long-lasting properties by
taking advantage of nature
with the goal of realizing a sustainable and prosperous society.
Forest Garden Hadano, a detached housing complex in Hadano City,
Kanagawa Prefecture,
received the first ABINC (Association for Business Innovation in harmony with Nature and
Community) certification
under the detached housing complex and city area category in 2018. The ABINC certification
system certifies results
of biodiversity preservation activities of companies to promote coexistence of nature and
people. The certification
began the certification of office buildings and commercial facilities from 2014 and has
expanded its scope to
include housing complexes and factories. Furthermore, detached housing complex and city area
category and logistic
facilities have been newly added.
The property design of Forest Garden Hadano is green property that
coexists with life. It
realizes rich greenery through the use of local tree species and Harmonic Plants®.
Consideration toward sustainable
circulation of water utilizing spring water was one of the major factors of receiving the
certification.
Property Design of Forest Garden Hadano
A High-Rise Japanese Garden That Conveys the Beauty of Nature and Harmony
Hotel Yaenomidori Tokyo opened in the Yaesu Hatchobori area of Tokyo in 2020. The hotel's
concept is to present the
multiple aspects of Japan's beauty. On the very top floor is a Japanese garden for guests to
experience a spiritual,
Japanese-style, sophisticated calm despite being in the middle of the Tokyo business
district. By using Shishiodoshi
(water-filled bamboo tubes that clack against stones when emptied to frighten the wild)
away, water basins and other
waterscape devices, by planting trees that respond to the change in seasons, Sumitomo
Forestry Landscaping carefully
designed and constructed a space that conveyed the beauty of nature and Japanese culture
through the five senses.
It harnessed its experience and technology to secure trees both below and above ground, to
consider load limits of
high-rise buildings, and to commit to planting native species.
A High-Rise Japanese Garden
UR Urban Renaissance Agency Tokiwadaira Danchi with SEGES First
Accreditation for 'Sodateru-Green'
The SEGES (Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System) (Sponsored by: Organization
for Landscape and Urban Green Infastruction) has certified the green space in the UR Tokiwadaira
Urban Renaissance Agency's Tokiwadaira Danchi as an Excellent Stage 2 green space in the category of
"Sodateru-green", which evaluates green spaces that contribute to society and the environment. This
is the first green certification for residential areas.
In August 2020, the independent administrative Urban Renaissance Agency and Sumitomo Forestry signed a
"Research Agreement on Effective Utilization of Residential Outdoor Space with Environmental Certification System",
and have been conducting research on effective outdoor space utilization in apartment complexes. Tokiwadaira
Danchi's green space was certified as Excellent Stage 2 in the SEGES "Sodateru-green" category in April 2021.
UR and Sumitomo Forestry are studying methods to utilize the rich green space that has been fostered
over the years and has become a natural asset for the community, using the SEGES evaluation.
We aim to accomplish a town development in harmony with nature, where diverse generations can continue
to live actively and safely, by utilizing the results of the research and supporting local activities and
communication among residents of the complex.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the National Urban Greenery Fair Hokkaido
In the garden exhibition contest held within the 39th National Urban Greenery Fair Hokkaido in 2022, a work exhibited by
Sumitomo Forestry and designed and supervised by Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping, the "Glamping Garden for Living with the
Comfort of the Forest", received the highest award, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award and
the Gold Award.
The award-winning entry was recognized for its ability to design the spaces and its high level of technical skill in
utilizing wood and plants. The work also takes the local community and the environment into consideration through local
production for local consumption and decarbonization, such as the use of Abies sachalinensis from Hokkaido for the post
and beam of the framework, as well as the transportation of major trees by rail. In particular, rail transport of trees
has reduced CO2 emissions by about 80 % compared to transport by truck. Modal shift, which is a shift to a transport
method with a smaller environmental impact, is expected not only to realize a decarbonized society, but also to address
various social issues, such as the shortage of driver
personnel.
Award-winning work
Received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award in the Housing Townscape Contest
Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping's Forest Garden Hadano and Queen Forest Nagareyama Ootakanomori won the
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award and the Townscape Award, respectively, in the 16th
Housing Townscape Contest in FY 2020.
The Foundation for Promotion of Housing Production's "Housing Townscape Contest" aims to promote districts and groups
that have achieved a desirable townscape via the efforts of local inhabitants, especially residents, in maintaining and
managing their homes. One project got the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award, and four
projects obtained the Residential Townscape Award, two of which were awarded to Sumitomo Forestry
Landscaping-constructed properties, out of the many entries received in the competition this year.
This is a result of Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping's contribution to attractive town planning that takes
advantages of local characteristics. Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping will continue to expand its business to realize
the goal of "Creation of a complete town."
* Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping did not receive the award directly, but applied through the local community association or the management association
Education for Biodiversity Conservation
Publish of an Illustrated Guide to Home Trees Revised Edition
A total of 46,000 copies of Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping's “An Illustrated Guide to Home Trees” have been printed since the first edition published in 2013, with two revisions afterwards.
The revised edition I was published in March 2017, following the establishment of the Invasive Alien Species List by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and taking into account further impacts on the ecosystem. We also restructured Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping's own criteria for invasive species.
The revised edition II was published in March 2021 with partially altered content in response to the modification to the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act and the addition of original varieties, and contains 508 species, including six original varieties.
(1) Revision of descriptions in response to the revision of the Plant Variety Protection and Seedling Law The "Variety Registration Number" and other information were added to the original trees for sale and the trees registered as varieties in the illustrated book in compliance with the modification of the Seed and Seedling Law, as registered varieties are now obliged to be labeled.
(2) SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) initiatives were added Through its green business, Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping Co., Ltd. is implementing initiatives in line with the
SDGs, such as protecting biodiversity through the concept of "Harmonic Plants" in the consideration of sustainability,
and creating comfort, enjoyment, and beauty in society by constructing homes and communities that harness the "Power of
Greenery". We are putting these initiatives into action. These initiatives have been included in this revision.
Recognition of Contributions to Environmental Consciousness
Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping has begun assessing carbon storage by trees in residential gardens as part of its efforts towards a decarbonized society. Trees play an important role towards a decarbonized society as they can absorb CO2 during their growth and continue to fix it as carbon.
Combined with Harmonic Plants®, a guiding principle of Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping, the aim is to create gardens that take into account local biodiversity, while also looking at the environment of the entire planet.
At Sumitomo Forestry's model house in Yonago, plantings were mainly of native species in accordance with the Harmonic Plants® guidelines. As a model case for LCCM housing, carbon storage in gardening was also assessed.
The amount of carbon storage was calculated for trees, wooden decks and wooden fences as materials that can be used for carbon fixation in gardening. The garden at the Yonago model house fixes approximately 6.2 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (equivalent to the carbon storage of about 21 trees of 40-year-old cedars in an planted forest).
In the future, the system will be developed to enable simpler assessment, and preparations will also be made to enable recognition of the fixed volume that increases as properly managed trees grow.
Expansion into the Landscape Business in Australia
In 2022, Sumitomo Forestry acquired Regal Innovations, a landscape business* in Australia, as a
subsidiary. The company is also involved in leading development and construction projects in urban Sydney, and
accelerates efforts to address environmental issues through the creation of landscapes in harmony with nature in the
design and construction of commercial areas, public facility housing exteriors, green zones and parks. When creating
spaces, not only are plants, wood, stone and soil used, but also rainwater circulation and techniques for
restoring and preserving vegetation are incorporated. Technological exchange between Japan and Australia has also
begun, including the sharing of garden vegetation and green space management know-how by Sumitomo Forestry
Landscaping, and design proposals for landscape design. In the future, we will combine this with our housing,
construction and real estate business to promote more environmentally sound development in Australia and other
countries.
*Landscaping projects collectively, including housing exterior works in residential areas and urban and infrastructure developments
Barangaroo District Park area, Sydney
Darling Harbour area undergoing redevelopment
Design Collaboration in Australian Subdivisions
In North Melbourne, Australia, we are leveraging our expertise in a design partnership with Tract
Landscape, a local landscape design firm, for the Annadale estate project (1,087 total lots for sale), which is a
joint residential development project between Sumitomo Forestry and NTT Urban Development.
In this design partnership that began in 2017, Sumitomo Forestry Group proposed a concept, Growing
Wellness Life & The Five Sense, for the basic design of Tract. Tract highly evaluated this proposal as a fantastic
reference because a story is not usually incorporated into standard design plans in Australia and playground
equipment using natural stone and logs was employed to better the motor skills of the children as well as the
vegetation plans. The Sumitomo Forestry Group proposed basic concepts even in the second stage of park planning
conducted thereafter and completed the basic design founded upon this idea in November 2020. In 2021, Sumitomo
Forestry also collaborated on concept proposals and drafting work for a local government public park project in
Sydney.
Green zones in Australia are imperative to raise the value of the estate development and pursue the creation of
efficiently green open spaces. The Sumitomo Forestry Group has just begun our efforts in the overseas landscaping business,
but will continue to further these businesses in the future with the aim of creating beautiful and comfortable spaces
loved by residents overseas.
Concept Proposal for the Second Stage of the Annadale Estate Project Park
Completed Project
Nature Play Equipment Using Natural Stone (First Stage of the Annadale Estate Project Park)