GLADSTONE's
HIROSHIMA GINKGO PEACE TREE

Gladstone is the lucky recipient of an authentic Hiroshima Ginkgo Peace Tree – grown from a seed that was collected from trees that miraculously recovered from the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan during WWII.

The tree is located in the meadow near the park entrance and the Mayor’s tree, off of Webster Road. It was dedicated in a special, private ceremony on October 3, 2020 — photos below.

August 6, 2020, marked the end of World War II and 75 years of peace with Japan. The Hiroshima Ginkgo Peace Tree is a reminder and wish for a world of peace. At least 53 trees and cycads are documented as having survived the bombing of Hiroshima. They include cherry, pine, juniper, zelkova, camphor, holly, willow, persimmon and ginkgo trees. These survivors are called "hibakujumoku" in Japanese, or Hiroshima Peace Trees in English. In 2011, Japan’s Green Legacy Hiroshima project began collecting seeds from these survivor trees and sending them throughout the world as symbols of peace. The One Sunny Day Initiative, based in Medford, Oregon, obtained the ginkgo hibakujumoku seeds from the Green Legacy Hiroshima project in 2017. One Sunny Day Initiative made several of the resulting seedlings available to the Oregon Department of Forestry to distribute to a selection of cities and schools across Oregon.

Ginkgos are “dioecious” (die-oh-EE-shuss). This means that there are male trees with pollen-producing male flowers, and female trees, with receptive female flowers that can produce a fleshy yellow fruit. The fruit of the female ginkgo can be very smelly – politely described as something “very rancid.” However, the seed inside the fruit is prized by many people and collected and consumed as a dietary enhancement.

Seedlings grown from trees that survived the atomic bombing are a living link to those historic times. Planting these trees is a fitting way for Oregon communities to mark this important anniversary, honoring the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the war, as well as the millions of civilians across the globe who were injured or killed. These Hiroshima seedlings also call to our attention that we all live in a world where nuclear weapons are a reality. They remind present and future generations of the importance of preserving peace. Visit the other Hiroshima Peace Trees throughout Oregon on this map.

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DEDICATED ON OCTOBER 3, 2020
Read the Clackamas Review story on the dedication here.

PEACE TREE
My calling is to rise. My purpose is to reach. Where buildings fall, I stand silent in the shouting. Even in billowing dust, I begin the next peace. If you splinter me, I will heal. After the battle, I will silhouette dawn. I have seen seasons pass, the rising of anger, fury of the storm, return of calm. I’m still yearning for the sun, still delving into dark. Rooted patriot of Earth, I drink the sky to give you breath.
 
Neutral in war, I shade both sides. Send my seeds across the border, I will be your diplomat of green. If you plant me beside the graves of soldiers, to their mothers I will say with my leaves what they might have said in the wind that stirs.

                                                                                                                                                 - Kim Stafford, former Oregon Poet Laureate