Kuwagi has started pre-sales of “Kumahagi firewood” on Makuake, which was created from trees damaged by bears. Prices start at 2,700 yen.
Kumahagi is the act of bears removing the bark of trees in order to lick the moisture from them. The stripped wood rots and dies, greatly reducing its value as timber. The trees that would normally be damaged and discarded are sold as firewood for camps, and a portion of the proceeds are used for satoyama maintenance.
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