WEBVTT 00:24.958 --> 00:25.859 Since I’ve learnt about tree 00:25.859 --> 00:26.926 and have become an arborist. 00:27.427 --> 00:29.262 Once I’ve walked out from the door, 00:29.596 --> 00:30.130 it’s the beginning 00:30.130 --> 00:31.765 of an adventure. 00:32.966 --> 00:34.267 You get to see lots of tree. 00:35.035 --> 00:36.970 You get to spend your day in mountains. 00:48.982 --> 00:51.217 This tree is about 80 or 90 years old. 00:52.585 --> 00:53.219 It’s probably 00:53.219 --> 00:55.889 the oldest cherry blossom in this region. 00:56.256 --> 00:57.791 Its tree structure is quite complete. 00:58.091 --> 00:59.692 Such a big cherry blossom seldom 00:59.692 --> 01:02.796 grows in Yangmingshan 01:05.832 --> 01:08.134 In the beginning, we came here 01:08.134 --> 01:09.335 to trim the leaves 01:10.270 --> 01:11.871 for it hasn’t been trimmed for 5 years. 01:11.871 --> 01:14.607 And the tree was covered with vines, 01:15.008 --> 01:16.910 which sucked the life out of it. 01:16.910 --> 01:18.545 Then it just grew weaker and weaker. 01:20.380 --> 01:22.282 We treated it around December. 01:22.449 --> 01:23.917 We waited until it started dormancy, 01:24.084 --> 01:25.118 then began the operation. 01:27.253 --> 01:29.989 Since it was close to a sulfurous spring, 01:29.989 --> 01:32.292 its topsoil had high acidity. 01:32.859 --> 01:35.128 So first we had to neutralize the soil 01:35.562 --> 01:37.297 but we didn’t use any chemical fertilizers. 01:37.297 --> 01:40.467 We adjusted everything in a natural method. 01:40.867 --> 01:41.768 We used something 01:41.901 --> 01:42.569 for example, 01:43.002 --> 01:43.937 things like algae 01:44.404 --> 01:45.405 to make a compound. 01:45.405 --> 01:47.574 And we’ll also help soil acquire more air. 01:47.974 --> 01:50.410 We also put in all kinds of natural materials 01:50.910 --> 01:52.579 to enable the root system to 01:52.579 --> 01:54.514 grow healthily and completely. 02:04.390 --> 02:05.125 Here. 02:06.159 --> 02:07.994 This is a new-grown root. 02:09.395 --> 02:11.965 In fact, today we are here to trim the leaves. 02:11.965 --> 02:15.268 Ever since we modified the soil, 02:15.268 --> 02:17.270 its daylight and soil environment 02:17.270 --> 02:18.238 have been greatly improved. 02:18.605 --> 02:21.441 So, this kind of water sprouts tend to grow. 02:21.908 --> 02:24.144 Because this cherry blossom went through soil modification, 02:24.144 --> 02:28.248 more water sprouts appear to grow on this one than on other trees. 02:28.681 --> 02:30.850 We are going to remove a few sprouts 02:31.284 --> 02:34.454 so that remaining sprouts can gather nutrients. 02:34.954 --> 02:35.855 To see if a tree is healthy or not, 02:35.855 --> 02:37.690 first, we’ll check its leaves. 02:38.091 --> 02:39.726 Then, we’ll check the lenticels 02:39.726 --> 02:41.794 on tree trunk. 02:42.362 --> 02:45.198 Lenticles help tree to breath. 02:45.365 --> 02:48.134 If you feel wetness on your finger 02:48.134 --> 02:49.135 you’ll know that 02:50.170 --> 02:52.572 the tree contains water. 02:59.946 --> 03:01.481 My father worked as a gardener 03:01.481 --> 03:02.715 in a university. 03:03.216 --> 03:04.817 When I was little, 03:04.817 --> 03:06.486 In elementary, 03:06.753 --> 03:07.620 we went to 03:08.121 --> 03:09.022 the university to climb trees 03:09.322 --> 03:10.089 after school. 03:10.390 --> 03:11.991 The university was like my back yard. 03:13.726 --> 03:14.627 In fact, 03:15.061 --> 03:17.163 I was not a kid who loves studying. 03:17.764 --> 03:20.266 I majored in Japanese literature. 03:20.533 --> 03:21.901 Because I spoke Japanese, 03:22.068 --> 03:23.603 I often read 03:23.803 --> 03:26.306 Japanese floral art magazines. 03:26.873 --> 03:28.841 I found true beauty in Japanese gardens. 03:29.309 --> 03:32.145 Because I was super interested in gardens, 03:32.478 --> 03:35.415 I decided to study in Japan. 03:39.586 --> 03:42.689 When I learnt garden making in a private university, 03:42.689 --> 03:44.390 the university offered seminars on a regular basis. 03:44.657 --> 03:47.126 An old arborist was once invited, 03:47.694 --> 03:49.495 and I’ve become interested in arboriculture 03:49.929 --> 03:51.164 ever since the seminar. 03:51.965 --> 03:53.099 So, I just took courage to visit his office 03:53.099 --> 03:54.934 regardless of the fact that he didn’t even know who I am. 03:56.803 --> 03:58.404 I went to his offices for 3 or 4 times, 03:58.404 --> 04:00.740 and I just waited outside. 04:01.274 --> 04:02.208 When I finally got in, 04:02.208 --> 04:04.077 the old professor told me that 04:04.077 --> 04:06.512 he didn’t allow any auditing students 04:06.512 --> 04:07.847 unless the students were already in his class. 04:08.381 --> 04:09.749 Then I asked 04:09.749 --> 04:11.718 “How about I join your class and be your students?” 04:12.218 --> 04:12.785 He then said, 04:12.785 --> 04:13.920 “Sure, just come.” 04:14.387 --> 04:15.488 But that I will have to complete 3 tasks. 04:15.888 --> 04:16.422 First, 04:16.422 --> 04:17.690 be an arborist after I return to Taiwan. 04:18.258 --> 04:18.725 Second, 04:18.725 --> 04:21.461 I have to save the trees in my home, 04:21.828 --> 04:22.262 Third, 04:22.462 --> 04:23.830 I have to bring the knowledge back to Taiwan. 04:24.130 --> 04:26.366 My Japanese wasn’t that fluent at the time. 04:26.866 --> 04:28.534 I didn’t know that it’s necessary to have a 7-year clinical experience 04:28.534 --> 04:30.436 before taking an arborist examination. 04:30.436 --> 04:32.505 The only thing I could do was to study real hard. 04:33.239 --> 04:36.743 When no one was there to support me 04:36.743 --> 04:39.078 or there to listen to me, 04:39.746 --> 04:42.382 the only thing I had was this big tree in school. 04:42.782 --> 04:45.285 The only thing I could do was hugging that tree. 04:45.818 --> 04:46.319 To me, 04:46.319 --> 04:47.654 it was the best healing method. 04:48.821 --> 04:49.856 So, to me 04:50.189 --> 04:52.025 trees are actually real friends. 04:52.558 --> 04:53.993 If you are willing to spend time with a tree, 04:54.294 --> 04:56.129 it will always be there for you. 04:56.562 --> 04:58.665 It will let you come near it 04:58.665 --> 04:59.399 and to be close to it. 04:59.732 --> 05:00.833 It is so selfless. 05:01.301 --> 05:02.735 A creature likes tree is extremely rare. 05:13.713 --> 05:15.315 This tree has witches’ broom, 05:15.682 --> 05:17.450 which a cherry blossom is particular vulnerable of. 05:17.784 --> 05:20.486 You can see the symptoms is like this. 05:20.486 --> 05:21.954 There is a deformity in branches and leaves 05:21.954 --> 05:22.989 Then branches and leaves eventually become black. 05:22.989 --> 05:24.123 In a weather like today 05:24.390 --> 05:26.059 when fog moves with wind. 05:26.392 --> 05:30.463 Spores on infected leaves float with fog. 05:30.830 --> 05:33.366 Then, the infection spreads to neighboring trees. 05:34.701 --> 05:36.602 We don’t’ treat it with pesticide either. 05:36.602 --> 05:36.969 Because 05:36.969 --> 05:38.538 we are in a natural environment 05:38.871 --> 05:40.440 and people walk around this region. 05:40.773 --> 05:42.942 So, we’ll try to apply as many physical methods as possible. 05:42.942 --> 05:44.077 For example, trimming its leaves. 05:44.410 --> 05:46.446 After we keep trimming for 3~5 years 05:46.713 --> 05:48.614 and that all the infected branches are cut out. 05:48.815 --> 05:50.283 The disease will no longer spread. 05:52.752 --> 05:54.954 Water sprouts start from here, yeah? 05:55.288 --> 05:56.956 So, in fact this one is the infected branch. 05:56.956 --> 05:58.958 Just cut it from here directly. 06:02.028 --> 06:05.098 During these 10 years from saving countless trees 06:05.431 --> 06:07.567 one important thing I learn from the tree is 06:07.567 --> 06:10.136 patience and perseverance. 06:10.803 --> 06:12.071 The time duration from starting to treat a tree 06:12.338 --> 06:13.773 up until it reaches restoration 06:13.873 --> 06:15.608 will take at least half a year or a full year. 06:15.742 --> 06:18.044 It needs time to get fully recovered. 06:18.311 --> 06:19.679 Only then can we leave the tree 06:20.113 --> 06:21.814 and drop by occasionally. 06:22.148 --> 06:24.183 The whole restoring process takes time. 06:30.857 --> 06:32.291 She really treats every tree 06:32.291 --> 06:35.027 as a lively individual. 06:35.595 --> 06:37.463 When a tree is sick 06:37.597 --> 06:40.166 or when tree changes 06:40.600 --> 06:43.703 you feel that her emotions 06:44.103 --> 06:45.571 also fluctuate with trees. 06:45.938 --> 06:46.806 I think it’s something 06:47.607 --> 06:49.575 that I really admire and respect. 06:53.980 --> 06:54.714 Great. 06:55.415 --> 06:56.682 It has grown so many roots. 06:58.017 --> 06:59.218 So many roots. 07:01.387 --> 07:02.255 A lot of roots! 07:04.257 --> 07:06.592 In fact, trees might not need us 07:06.592 --> 07:08.060 but we will always need trees. 07:08.528 --> 07:09.529 As an arborist, 07:09.662 --> 07:10.363 our good intention is to 07:10.363 --> 07:11.764 make trees healthy. 07:12.298 --> 07:13.032 Although trimming and 07:13.266 --> 07:14.267 climbing trees are indeed hard work. 07:14.267 --> 07:15.501 But when I come to think of it. 07:15.501 --> 07:17.637 As a tree is in its full bloom 07:17.837 --> 07:18.805 and as we appreciate its beauty 07:18.805 --> 07:20.039 I feel that all the things we’ve done are worth it. 07:20.473 --> 07:21.340 I often say that 07:21.541 --> 07:23.476 being an arborist is blessed. 07:23.743 --> 07:25.812 It’s a job that makes one feels happy. 07:28.848 --> 07:29.482 Lastly, 07:29.849 --> 07:31.884 this is the things that I want to share with you.