Tadahiko Yamano was born in Osaka, Japan in 1900. He loved mountains and trees and spent many of his early years overseas working in forest management. Dr Yamano discovered for himself that the forests do not belong to man alone. They are home to many other creatures. He saw how trees store water and protect us from floods and how they produce the air we breathe.

After the Second World War, when he walked in the mountains, he sensed that many ancient trees had lost their vitality. He was very concerned. In Japan, you will often find braided straw ropes tied around the trunks of very large, old trees, especially in shrine grounds or along mountain paths. This is a sign of worship and respect. Those who live close to nature believe that gods and spirits reside within the mountains and trees and they take great care to protect these things. It seemed to Dr Yamano that he could hear the souls of these old trees calling out to him in their suffering.

In order to save the trees, however, he would have to study them first. He would also have to make medicine for their treatment . All of this would take time and money, Dr Yamano had very little money. His family, however, understood his firm resolve and they stood behind him while he worked at night and studied during the day.

In those days, damaged trees were reinforced by filling holes and cracks with concrete. This method was developed in Europe well over a century ago. But Dr Yamano felt that trees are living beings, just as we are. In order to allow them to take in water, air and nourishment, he decided to use earth, not concrete, to fill any cracks. He cut off badly damaged parts and cleaned the trees with a brush. He also gave them injections of nutrients and medicine that he himself developed. This combination of internal and external treatment was unheard of at the time and at first other scholars and specialists ignored his efforts.

But his methods worked! Many old trees revived and put forth new buds. He is now known all over the world as the tree doctor, the man who saves aged and sick trees. And his research and work have been taken up by young people who are helping to save trees.