In northern Thailand grows the remarkable mulberry tree, a plant with a unique characteristic: after the rainy season, its bark can be easily peeled off, after which it grows back naturally. This sustainable method of harvesting was discovered hundreds of years ago by the Karen tribe, who live in the far north of Thailand.
The leaves of the mulberry tree serve as food for silkworms, while the bark forms the basis for traditional mulberry paper. The tree grows both in the wild and in specially planted locations for paper production. After harvesting, the bark is boiled, finely processed and dissolved in water to form paper pulp. This pulp is applied by hand to scoop frames, often enriched with natural elements such as petals or dried leaves, and then dried in the sun. The paper is handmade in small workshops and is an important source of employment and craftsmanship in northern Thailand.
