In Japan, instead of cutting down big old trees, people often go the extra mile to move them.

 

In Japan, instead of cutting down big old trees, people often go the extra mile to move them. One amazing example is a 70-ton camphor tree in Tokyo—one of the city’s oldest natural landmarks—that was carefully relocated with the help of over 70 workers.

 

Moving such a huge tree isn’t easy. Experts wait for the right time, usually in fall or winter when the tree is dormant, to avoid damaging it. Arborists check the tree’s health, prepare the roots, and use cranes, rollers, and other special tools to move it safely.

 

Once the tree is in its new spot, it needs care—watering, fertilizing, and time to adjust. If done right, these trees can survive and keep growing in their new homes.

 

This practice isn’t new. People around the world have been moving large, historic trees for centuries to protect them instead of cutting them down.