GCA 2023 Iselin Fellow Hans Friedl Helps to Preserve Venerable Trees at the US Capitol

Using a Japanese Method of Wooden Branch Supports, Friedl Conserved Legacy Cherry Trees Gifted by Japan.

August 06, 2025

By: Sid Hancock

Hans Friedl, GCA 2023 Hope Goddard Iselin Fellow in Public Horticulture, recently completed conservation work on at-risk legacy trees in Washington, DC. Friedl, trained by Japanese master gardener Kurato Fujimoto, specializes in Japanese horticultural practices to maintain the integrity of aging and venerable trees. Friedl employed “hoozue”, a Japanese horticultural technique that supports branches from below by using wooden posts on which limbs rest. 

Friedl explains, “We were approached by arborists working for the Architect of the Capitol to consult on their trees. We installed 18 hoozue, or branch supports, on three historic cherry trees. Two cherry trees were part of the original 1912 gift from Japan to the US and sit behind the Library of Congress. The third sits in front of the US Capitol on the side of the House of Representatives.”

“The Iselin Fellowship has led to a tremendous series of projects over the last few years,” comments Friedl. “It has been an immense honor to work to preserve such beautiful and important trees, and the opportunity to do so is directly tied to GCA support.”

Friedl’s hoozue supports have been installed at Dumbarton Oaks and the US National Arboretum.

Established in 2013, the Iselin Fellowship helps fund graduate students in the study of public horticulture. Field research takes place at a recognized US public garden, botanic garden, arboretum, or other closely aligned public horticulture institution. The 2026 GCA scholarship applications are available September 1, 2025.