AEON Hometown Forests Program

Introduction
This is how it was made
3 commitments
planted like this
Illustrated book of major trees

Introduction

AEON Hometown Forest Project, which began in 1991, is one of AEON 's representative environmental activities.
We are grateful to be able to work in the local community, and have been planting trees "together with our customers" with great care. We research the trees remaining in the old shrines, temples and forests around our stores, estimate the original vegetation of the land, and decide the type and proportion of trees to plant for each store. We are particular about not only the quantity but also the quality of the greenery, so to speak, creating a custom-made forest for each store. Here we will introduce the many details behind our care.

How AEON Hometown Forest was created

[Video] Trees grow, people gather, create the future

Three Commitments of "AEON Hometown Forests Program"

planted like this

"AEON Hometown Forest" Main Tree Illustrated Guide

In "AEON Hometown Forest," the types and number of trees planted vary for each store. This illustrated guide introduces the main tall trees, sub-tall trees, and shrubs.
It's fun to learn the names and characteristics of the trees in your "hometown forest" that you see every day. Learn the characteristics of their leaves and the flowering seasons, and complete your own tree encyclopedia.

Hierarchical structure of the forest
Differences in tree planting by region
tall tree
Flowering trees on the edge of the forest

Hierarchical structure of the forest

In AEON Hometown Forest, we plant a variety of trees based on the potential natural vegetation of the area. Because the trees are planted densely, they compete to grow in favorable locations to get as much light as possible.
Eventually, the planting zone will form a three-dimensional hierarchical structure, as shown in the diagram. Each tree species has different characteristics, such as those that prefer sunlight or shade, those that are resistant to wind and cold, and those that are not, and they can form a stable forest by occupying the place that is most suitable for them in a given environment.
Forests, with their diverse environments, are comfortable places for organisms other than plants to live in, and as a whole they can foster a rich ecosystem where many living things gather.

Differences in tree planting by region

The Japanese archipelago extends north and south from Okinawa to Hokkaido, but when it comes to plants, excluding mountainous areas, it can be roughly divided into two areas: the beech class (mainly deciduous trees) and the thicket camellia class (mainly evergreen trees). For the sake of convenience, the area west of Kanto is divided into the Camellia japonica class, and the Hokkaido/Tohoku (Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, Fukushima) areas are divided into the Beech class. The main tree species differ depending on the location of the shop, so please refer to it. In general, summer green broad-leaved forests are vegetation centered on deciduous trees, unlike snowy areas. On the other hand, in the evergreen forest zone, the vegetation is dominated by evergreen trees that carry out photosynthesis without dropping their leaves even in winter. There are also many tree species to grow in both areas.

Tall trees (high and medium trees)

In general, among trees with a height of more than 5 meters, those that grow to 10 meters or more are called tall trees, and those that do not exceed 10 meters are called medium trees.
They are the main trees in the hometown forest, such as shii, tabu, oak, thicket camellia, and mouse mochi.

Forest edge flowering trees (shrubs)

A shrub is a shrub that does not exceed three meters in height. Depending on the season, it blooms colorful flowers such as Tobera, Syringa, Gardenia, etc., and attracts insects seeking nectar. In Furusato no Mori, it is planted at the foot of the planting zone and at the entrance and exit of the parking lot.